As the only country in the world that still systematically harvested organs from executed prisoners, China faced widespread international criticism for their practice, reports Reuters.  Some Chinese believe that, by using organs from prisoners to save lives, it allows the criminals to redeem themselves.  Others view it as damaging to the country’s reputation.  The health ministry has stated that they will enforce the use of organs only from voluntary donors through a phased approach.  By the end of this year, there should be a nationwide voluntary scheme.

China has a low number of voluntary donations because beliefs commonly held by the Chinese oppose organ removal before burial, according to CBS News.  Currently, there are 30,000 people on the waiting list for organ transplants in China.  However, only one in 30 will be able to get the organ they need.  In 2010, there were only 63 voluntary organ donation cases, but that number has been increasing.  This year, China has averaged 130 donations per month, but this is not nearly enough to satisfy the national need.

An earlier study, published in the Atlantic, found that a three-year trial of voluntary organ donation only resulted in the donation of 1,800 major organs.  This falls well below the 30,000 organs needed for transplants for everyone on the waiting list.  As a result, the Chinese have been harvesting organs from executed inmates.  The process has come under scrutiny for a number of reasons.

First, there are doubts about whether or not there is actual consent in the process.  CBS News goes on to state that Chinese officials claim that organs are only harvested from prisoners after their execution as a result of their death sentence.  Moreover, officials state that the prisoners consent.  However, critics believe there has not been actual consent.

The Atlantic continues by describing the story of Zeng Chengjie, who was seemingly executed in secret.  His family was notified late of his execution, postmarked the day after the date of his execution.  The body was cremated and records surrounding the execution were not disclosed.

In the U.S., the Health Resources and Services Administration considered use of prisoner organs.  Though there are concerns about consent, they conclude that there may be some benefit to allowing for a voluntary donation.  However, ethical concerns are too numerous to allow it at the moment.