Qin Gang speaks: Live and let liver

As you, our ever vigilant readers are well aware, Shanghaiist is currently in the market for a new liver. Naturally, we prefer a human liver, but after reading this article from the AFP, we'll settle for anything that compliments onions nicely. $125,000!!! They had better include installation, because if this is like IKEA, then you can forget it!

All joking on a very serious topic aside, China has publicly addressed claims made by the BBC that human organs are traded in China. In his regular press conference on September 28th, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Qin Gang addressed these accusations in with all the gusto of a robot imitating Scott McClellan.

Q: Reports say that human organs are traded in China, what is your response?

A: China has all along abided by the WHO's guiding principles on human organs transplantation issued in 1991. China prohibits the sale of human organs and stipulates that donors' written consent must be obtained. Relevant authorities promulgated and implemented the Interim Regulation on the Management of Clinic Use of Human Organs Transplantation Technology on July 1st 2006. The Regulation reaffirmed that human organs trade is prohibited. Human organs transplanted for medical treatment must have the written consent of donors, who have the right to change their decisions before the transplantation. Hospitals must have relevant qualifications for transplantation operations so as to ensure the quality and safety of medical treatment and uphold ethical principles. Relevant authorities have drafted the Regulation on Human Organs Transplantation with a view to further standardizing transplantation work.

In China, the use of bodies and organs of the executed prisoners is very prudent with relevant regulations being strictly implemented. The following terms are requested, first, the written consent of the prisoner to be executed must be obtained. Second, the approval of the provincial health authorities and the people's high court must be granted. Third, hospitals and institutions involved must be approved by health authorities above the provincial level and their qualification authenticated

Upon seeing reports, I contact the Ministry of Health immediately. It has been reaffirmed that the Chinese health authorities standardize hospitals' human organs transplantations. If you find any problems, please let us know.

Sure, it reads like the nutritional contents on a cereal box and is about as revealing as a burqa, but at the very least it suggests that China wishes to appear to care about accountability in the eyes of an international audience. While it is encouraging that China engages the public on these matters in a limited way, it must realize that only by implementing such changes in a transparent and meaningful way will it gain the trust and respect of the world.

Maybe one day Mr. Qin will slip into a hijab. Now that would hot!