Two Chinese nationals in New York have been arrested for allegedly attempting to sell body organs from executed Chinese prisoners for transplant operations. The BBC's Chinese Affairs Analyst, James Miles, says the case is likely to be an embarrassment to China.
China executes more prisoners than any other country in the world.
At least 6,000 convicts a year are shot, according to totals compiled from accounts of executions in the official Chinese press. But some executions go unreported. In China there is deep cultural prejudice against donating organs. So it's not surprising that the medical profession should look to executed prisoners as a possible source for its transplant needs. Chinese officials say that the organs of executed prisoners are occasionally used, but only with the prior consent of the convicts or their families.