Global demand fuels human organ trade

Are Chinese executions part of a global business?

By science reporter Julian Siddle

The testimony of a Chinese doctor, in which he said executed prisoners' organs were sold to rich foreigners, and the subsequent denial by Chinese authorities has focused attention on the global trade in human body parts.

Dr Wang Guoqi's suggestion is just the latest of many allegations of Chinese involvement in a global trade in human organs.

Organs such as kidneys and livers have to be taken and transplanted within 48 hours of death; typically they are transplanted within five hours.

The allegations that such organs were sold to foreigners follow Canadian concerns over Canadian nationals visiting China, India and the Philippines for kidney transplants.

New York arrests

They can pay more than $100,000 for the trip but often return without any paperwork to say exactly what has happened to them.

Campaign groups looking at the issue of involuntary organ donation say they are concerned that Chinese prisoners may be being killed to order, so that their organs can be sold to rich foreigners.

Three years ago two Chinese officials were arrested in New York and accused of trying to sell organs from executed prisoners.