Do we know what is really going on?
In 2011, China transplanted more organs than any other country except the United States. The source of those donated organs is a worldwide concern. A few hundred of the 10 000–12 000 organs came from intensive care units as donations after cardiac death; brain death is not legally recognised in China. An unknown number were sourced from living donors. The use of executed prisoners’ organs has been acknowledged by government officials, but despite efforts to change this, executed prisoners still comprise most organ donors.1 The Falun Gong movement and its supporters claim that they are targeted as organ donors through execution.2
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Huang J, Millis JM, Mao Y, et al. A pilot program of organ donation after cardiac death in China. Lancet 2012; 379: 862-865.
- 2. Matas D, Kilgour D. An independent investigation into allegations of organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners in China. http://organharvestinvestigation.net (accessed Jun 2013).
- 3. CNTRANSPLANT. Omar Healthcare Service, Tianjin, China. http://www.cntransplant.com/index1.htm (accessed Jun 2013).
- 4. The Transplantation Society. Statement to TTS members, November 6 2006. http://www.tts.org/images/stories/pdfs/StatementMembs-ChineseTXProg.pdf (accessed Jun 2013).
- 5. World Health Organization. WHO guiding principles on human cell, tissue and organ transplantation. Transplantation 2010; 90: 229-233.
- 6. Participants in the International Summit on Transplant Tourism and Organ Trafficking Convened by the Transplantation Society and International Society of Nephrology in Istanbul, Turkey, April 30-May 2, 2008. The Declaration of Istanbul on organ trafficking and transplant tourism. Transplantation 2008; 86: 1013-1018.
No relevant disclosures.