"Thriving" Trade in China From Selling Prisoners' Organs
The BBC reports that China is continuing its policy of selling the organs of executed prisoners--only with the "consent" of the prisoners, of course. But there aren't enough executions in China, or procurements from those who die by other means, to explain all of the organs being sold there. So, where do the surplus organs come from? The story of harvesting Falun Gong, to me, remains the best hypothesis. This issue demands an international investigation.
posted by Wesley J. Smith @ 9:44 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Nice blog.
Mr. Smith, the BBC report made no mention of Falun Gong's live organ harvesting, targeted genocide allegations.
I would also like to point out the fact “ability to pay” is a compelling factor in our own organ transplant industry, no less so than China. In US the uninsured are left out of the organ wait list, while the rich go on wait list and receive organs in days or weeks, too.
It is refered to as “wallet biopsy”. 2004 clinical data from ustransplant.org shows thousands of patients in US (top 10% of wait list) averaged a 10 day wait period for liver transplant.
Does that mean we too are selling organs?
As to the BBC reporter’s cliam it’s not possible for the condemned in China to consent to donation, I would like to point out that China is not the only country that allows the death row inmate to donate organ. In US it is allowed on a case-by-case basis.
For reference, here’s a report I found in the Chinese media, about a guy who turned himself in for killing his wife’s lover. Before he was to pay with his life, he decided to donate his organ as last act of redemption, and willed the organ donation compensation fund paid by the state to the victim’s family. In his interview he indicated the reason he called for press is to help bring awareness to organ donation in China:
http://news.sina.com.cn/s/p/2006-03-20/12299394605.shtml
Many such cases exists in China:
http://www.baidu.com/s?ie=gb2312&bs=%CB%C0%C7%F4+%BE%E8+%C6%F7%B9%D9&sr=&z=&cl=3&f=8&wd=%CB%C0%C7%F4+%BE%E8+%C6%F7%B9%D9+%C2%C9%CA%A6&ct=0
Some people would simply disregard Chinese media’s reporting about themselves, insisting on what they know about China, like Buddhist culture and people’s desire to die “whole” (probably learned from the movie “The Last Emperor”.)
It probably is still true to some degree, but folks forget most Chinese are not criminals. Does one really believe “wholeness” applies to criminals in Buddhism? Above article demonstrates a common rationale for the condemned to consent to organ donation - the Buddhist desire for redemption.
Chinese culture and Buddhist religious foundation makes organ donation difficult to promote. However the condemned often seek redemption and last act of contribution to family and society, under the same cultural and religious foundation.
Yes, the Chinese government’s organ donation compensation fund seems to be direct at this population, but its aim is to promote organ donation by the population at large.
You may find faults in it, as there do exist isolated cases of abuse contrary to the law stated. But who are we to deny their reality, and self-righteously accuse them with our western sensitivity?
I believe it is fair to say this issue is not only debatable, the Chinese are debating it - as the above search engine results show a range of opinions.
To me this really demonstrates that China’s problems isn’t all that black and white. China too have their dilemmas and choices, and their own history to evaluate (and overcome).
In contrast, to condemn China with emotionally satisfying conclusion only serves ones ego, I submit.
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