Beijing Ban Spurs Organ Shortage

China cleans up for Olympics—and Korean kidney patients feel the pinch

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Mar 29, 2007 11:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – South Korea has a kidney shortage, and the Beijing Olympics are to blame, Der Spiegel reports. China, attempting to clean up its human rights reputation in preparation the 2008 games, has banned organ trafficking and cut down on the state executions that used to create supply. Now countries that used to rely on this most controversial of Chinese exports are feeling the pinch.

Ten thousand South Koreans are on waiting lists for organs—Koreans traditionally don't donate—and prices have jumped nearly 40 per cent since the trafficking ban went into effect. Even so, China's record on the issue remains dubious. The government continues to harvest organs from Falun Gong prisoners to offer to wealthy Chinese, says a former Canadian state department official.

Chinese models display the medals design for the Beijing 2008... (Getty Images)

Falun Gong participate in street theatre (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

China Shines Image for Olympics

Bureaucracy in full spin mode with Games less than 200 days away

(NEWSER) - With less than 200 days to go before the Summer Olympics, Der Spiegel takes an in-depth look at China’s feverish preparations and finds a sprawling bureaucracy working overtime to project the perfect image to the world. But while Beijing might clean the smog, and even prevent rain, making communist China look like an open and free society won’t be easy. More»

Fading US Sway Leads to Darfur, Burma Inaction

China is ignoring rights abuses for economic interests, Time says

(NEWSER) - Diminished US influence is allowing human rights violators in Darfur and Burma to get away with murder, Harvard expert Samantha Power writes in Time. America is speaking up louder than ever, but Uncle Sam’s diplomatic nadir makes for “a void in global human rights leadership.” China has most influence over both pariahs, importing Sudanese oil and exporting weapons to Burma. More»

US, China Grow Closer Despite Touchy Issues

Bush accepts Olympics invitation; talks recalls, environment with Hu

(NEWSER) - President Bush accepted an invitation today from China’s president to attend next summer’s Olympics, a gesture that will likely anger human rights activists but may increase pressure on Beijing, the Times reports. In a 90-minute meeting in the eve of the APEC summit, Hu Jintao and Bush also discussed climate change and recalls of Chinese-made toys. More»

In Countdown to 2008 Olympics, Beijing Besieged

Pollution, human rights, food safety issues all draw fire

(NEWSER) - As the one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympics begins tomorrow, activists and Olympic organizers alike have been vocal in their concerns about the host city. The government is under fire for press harassment: journalists were detained for several hours yesterday after a Reporters Without Borders conference, and six Free Tibet activists were arrested recently for unfurling a banner at the Great Wall. More»

China Curbs Executions as Olympics Loom

Executions down 40% in runup to 2008

(NEWSER) - Capital punishment is on the decline in China, a country responsible for more than half of the world's executions. Beijing doesn't release figures, but human rights watchers say death penalty cases are down as much as 40% over the last six years. Sinologists reckon much of that drop represents an image manicure as the Beijing Olympics approach. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Beijing Ban Spurs Organ Shortage

China cleans up for Olympics—and Korean kidney patients feel the pinch

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • organ harvesting • South Korea • human rights • Olympic Games • waiting list

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

China Shines Image for Olympics

Bureaucracy in full spin mode with Games less than 200 days away

Fading US Sway Leads to Darfur, Burma Inaction

China is ignoring rights abuses for economic interests, Time says

US, China Grow Closer Despite Touchy Issues

Bush accepts Olympics invitation; talks recalls, environment with Hu

In Countdown to 2008 Olympics, Beijing Besieged

Pollution, human rights, food safety issues all draw fire

China Curbs Executions as Olympics Loom

Executions down 40% in runup to 2008

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Beijing Ban Spurs Organ Shortage

China cleans up for Olympics—and Korean kidney patients feel the pinch

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • organ harvesting • South Korea • human rights • Olympic Games • waiting list

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

China Shines Image for Olympics

Bureaucracy in full spin mode with Games less than 200 days away

Fading US Sway Leads to Darfur, Burma Inaction

China is ignoring rights abuses for economic interests, Time says

US, China Grow Closer Despite Touchy Issues

Bush accepts Olympics invitation; talks recalls, environment with Hu

In Countdown to 2008 Olympics, Beijing Besieged

Pollution, human rights, food safety issues all draw fire

China Curbs Executions as Olympics Loom

Executions down 40% in runup to 2008

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?