China admits transplanting organs from condemned prisoners

March 23, 2012

A Chinese official has announced that the government will cease transplanting organs from prisoners who are condemned to execution. The announcement was significant because the Beijing regime had not previously admitted the practice, despite reports that it is widespread.

Vice health minister Huang Jiefu said that organs would not be taken from condemned prisoners unless they volunteer as donors. The change in policy, he said, is being made not for humanitarian reasons but because the organs of prisoners are too often damaged by disease.

 

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Further information:

• "Organ donations from condemned prisoners will be abolished within five years" (AsiaNews)