The sale of organs taken from executed prisoners appears to be thriving in China, an undercover investigation by the BBC has found.

Organs from death row inmates are sold to foreigners who need transplants. One hospital said it could provide a liver at a cost of $94,400, with the chief surgeon confirming an executed prisoner *could* be the donor. China’s health ministry did not deny the practice, but said it was reviewing the system and regulations.

One official said that the prisoners volunteered to give their organs as a “present to society”.

He said there was currently an organ surplus because of an increase in executions ahead of the 1 October National Day.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5386720.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)