Organ Sales Rampant in China

This is a bit moldy at this point, but disturbing if not all that shocking. The underground sale of organs taken from executed prisoners is thriving in China, according to an undercover BBC investigation.

Organs from death row inmates are sold to foreigners who need transplants.

One hospital said it could provide a liver at a cost of £50,000 ($94,400), with the chief surgeon confirming an executed prisoner could be the donor.

China's health ministry did not deny the practice, but said it was reviewing the system and regulations.

One official told a BBC reporter that China had an organ surplus because of an increase in executions leading up to the October 1, the country's National Day.
Amnesty International says that while 1,770 prisoners were reported executed in 2005 in China, the real number is likely much higher. By any count, China executes more prisoners than any other nation.

*Via Blog.bioethics.net. *