China has got a bad track record when it comes to human rights. There have been a lot of protests in the past from human rights organisations and governments against the many people receiving the death penalty in China. And against its practice of exporting organs of death penalty victims, prisoners (mainly Falun Gong members) and minors. Now, with the preparations for the upcoming 2008 Olympics, China is finally doing something to clean up its act, with consequences for one of its neighbours.
But the planning isn’t just taking place on the streets of Beijing. The government is also trying to clean up some of its more blatant human rights violations — like the export of kidneys from death penalty victims and organs harvested from minors. And it’s creating organ shortages in South Korea.
According to a report last week in the daily Chosun Ilbo, the already long list of South Koreans waiting for organs is getting longer — with the number expected to top 10,000 by the beginning of the month — and their chances of getting a transplant are getting slimmer with China having decided to ban organ exports. In addition, executions in China have dropped sharply since the Chinese New Year in February, meaning that one of the primary sources for exported organs has dried up, organ brokers told the Korea Times.
Because South Koreans traditionally shy away from donating their organs, the situation for the seriously ill in the country looks grim. Furthermore, prices for organs have skyrocketed, with kidneys now going for $37,000 whereas prior to China stiffening organ export rules a kidney could have been had for $27,000. China has likewise elected to no longer give foreigners priority when it comes to organ transplant waiting lists.
Looks like Koreans will now have to change their minds about organ donation. I do wonder though what their reasons against organ donation are. If you know, please leave a comment.
Possibly related posts:
