China Organ Transplant Scandal, 65% Come from Death Row Inmates

by LarryDeezell | August 26, 2009 at 12:04 pm

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China has an organ transplant scandal on its hands. It seems that in 65% of all organ transplants performed in China death row inmates have been the donors. With 65% of all organ donor being death row inmates it is hard to believe that China has been adhering to a 2007 promise to only harvest organs from death row inmates under very specific terms.

Medical officials agreed in 2007 not to transplant organs from prisoners or others in custody, except into members of their immediate families.

The World Health Organization and international human rights groups welcomed the new system, saying it was in line with best practices in other countries and would likely help meet the needs of all patients.

With the new donor system, launched Tuesday, the Health Ministry and Red Cross Society of China want to reduce that proportion by encouraging the normally hesitant general public to donate organs after they die.

The new donor system will link potential donors with recipients and make public a waiting list of patients to increase transparency and fairness in allocating organs.

The system was initially being launched in 10 provinces and cities, including Shanghai, Tianjin and Xiamen and will eventually be rolled out across the country.

The China Daily say's "Only 130 people have volunteered to donate their organs since 2003"

Chen Zhonghua, an organ transplant expert with Tongji Hospital in Shanghai. Chen declined to comment when contacted.

The Health Ministry said it could not provide more information on the new donor system. The Red Cross Society of China would not take questions by phone and did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.