Steering between Humanitarian Medicine and the Commodity Market: China Sets Out to Govern Human Organ Transplants

Abstract

China has enacted its Provisional Regulations on Organ Transplantation. This article outlines the content of this document in view of its historical context and discusses its implications with respect to social, ethical and cultural issues. It argues that the regulations are a significant step forward in aligning China’s health-related ethics framework with international standards. The impact of the legislation will largely depend on compliance amongst health professionals and acceptance by the general public in China.