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<p>We are aware of reports that allege that organ harvesting may be taking place in
China, including suggestions that minority and religious groups are being specifically
targeted.</p><p>We consider the Kilgour, Gutmann and Matas report to be important
sources of information about China’s organ transplant system. These reports rightly
question the lack of transparency in China’s organ transplant system, whilst acknowledging
that it is very difficult to identify the source of those organs and verify the number
of organ transplants conducted in China.</p><p>However, as the Minister for Europe
and the Americas said in a Westminster Hall debate in October 2016: “Although I do
not doubt the need to maintain close scrutiny of organ transplant practices in China,
we believe that the evidence base is not sufficiently strong to substantiate claims
about the systematic harvesting of organs from minority groups. Indeed, based on all
the evidence available to us, we cannot conclude that this practice of “organ harvesting”
is definitely happening in China.”</p><p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) collates
global data on organ donations and works with China. The WHO view is that China is
implementing an ethical, voluntary organ transplant system in accordance with international
standards, although the WHO does have concerns about overall transparency.</p><p>The
British Government is aware of the technique to plastinate human bodies exported from
China for exhibition and for medical research. We have not made inquiries with the
Chinese government or Dalian Hoffen Bio-Technique Co. Ltd on this matter, but continue
to monitor media coverage.</p><p>We will continue to review any new evidence that
is presented to us.</p>
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