This reminded me of a story I found recently about organ transplant tourism.

The shortage of organs available for transplantation continues to rise in the United States and the demand for organs exceeds the supply. Thus, many Americans, rather than staying on waiting lists for 5 to 15 years, are traveling to various countries to obtain necessary organs to remain alive.

This article goes on to say: “China recently stopped allowing Americans to travel to that country for organ donations. Executed prisoners often were utilized as organ donors . . .”

My question is are they selling organs only to their own countrymen? If they are selling, then why limit their market?

There is definitely a ma...

This reminded me of a story I found recently about organ transplant tourism.

The shortage of organs available for transplantation continues to rise in the United States and the demand for organs exceeds the supply. Thus, many Americans, rather than staying on waiting lists for 5 to 15 years, are traveling to various countries to obtain necessary organs to remain alive.

This article goes on to say: “China recently stopped allowing Americans to travel to that country for organ donations. Executed prisoners often were utilized as organ donors . . .”

My question is are they selling organs only to their own countrymen? If they are selling, then why limit their market?

There is definitely a market in the U.S. According to http://www.organdonor.gov/ 18 people die every day waiting for transplants, and only a fraction of the estimated 6,575 Americans who die every day are organ donors.

This situation at the very least indicates education and perhaps public service announcements is needed to alert the public of this shortage. It works for blood donations, why not for organ donations?