ABC News Online (AU)

China to tighten rules on organ transplants


[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1799633.htm]
Last Update: Tuesday, November 28, 2006. 8:05pm (AEDT)

The Chinese Government has announced it will tighten organ transplant rules, following a worldwide outcry over organs being forcibly taken from executed prisoners.

Human rights groups say China takes transplant organs from executed prisoners without prior consent, including from political prisoners like Falun Gong members.

Earlier this month, Chinese officials admitted organs are being removed from executed prisoners, but said permission is given.

The Chinese Government has blamed unqualified doctors and profit-hungry hospitals for any abuses.

Today it announced that only a limited number of hospitals now will be licensed to carry out transplants and the Health Ministry will supervise the quality of all surgery.

Public information is still scarce about China's organ transplant system, which in part supplies wealthy foreigners.