Ban on organ trafficking issued

The central government will implement the first ban of its kind on the trade in human organs in China starting May 1. The new regulation comes amid ongoing allegations that the nation's military is involved in harvesting organs from executed prisoners, AFP reported. The new regulation stipulates that human organ transplants should respect the principle of voluntary and free donation and makes it a crime to harvest organs without the owner's permission or against his will. Doctors found to be involved in the organ trade will have their licenses revoked, face fines and their clinics will be forbidden from performing transplant surgery for at least three years. The regulation does not apply to transplants of human tissue such as cells, corneas or bone marrow.