Seriously, Why All the Fuss About Taking Executed Prisoners’ Organs?

2009-08-29

Since China announced a new organ donation system this week, the amount of press coverage of the story has been overwhelming. The more sensational bits discuss the "scandal" that has been confirmed about China's reliance on executed prisoners for transplant organs.

It might be the lack of sleep talking, but I just don't understand why this is such a big deal. The big story is that people don't donate their organs here, and there are tremendous shortages (hence the need for a new program).

But is the status quo worthy of the label "scandal?" We are talking about executed prisoners here, who usually don't get state funerals with flowers and eulogies. As one blogger put it:

In most countries, people killed in the name of the state are quietly disposed of in the local equivalent of paupers’ graveyards, or they wind up as cadavers in medical schools.

China, however, has found a way to recycle used parts from executed prisoners.

So throwing the bodies in a hole in the ground or letting them be cut up by med students is OK, but harvesting organs destined to help sick folks is bad?

Look, I'm on the record as being against the death penalty, in any country, but once these guys are in fact dead, can't the government at least put the slab of meat to good use?

I can't see any flaw in this logic, but I would be happy to hear opposing views.

Tags: China News