MORE than 10 organs had been donated in Shenzhen this year, accounting for 50 percent of the nation s total, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.
Citing Red Cross Society of China Shenzhen branch figures, the paper said Shenzhen had recorded more than 500 cadavers, corneas and other organs since 1999. Shenzhen was one of the leading Chinese cities in organ donations, especially corneas.
A donation center was opened last year following an agreement between the Red Cross and Shenzhen University. More than 6,000 people had registered to donate organs in Shenzhen, with two-thirds willing to donate organs and cadavers.
The overwhelming support was contrary to traditional belief among many Chinese that the body should remain whole after death.
Residents in this migrant city are very open and supportive of [organ] donations, said Zhao Lizhen, vice chairman of Red Cross Society Shenzhen branch.
They are less afraid than people in other Chinese cities of challenging the traditional concept of keeping the body whole after death.
The Red Cross would be responsible for registration, liaison and publicity. The medical school at Shenzhen University would be in charge of accepting and managing the remains.
Zhao said media coverage had helped improve public awareness.
Nearly 300 people have provided corneas and 32 people had volunteered to provide more than one organ.
However, the corpses would only be of benefit to researchers in Shenzhen because there is a law banning intercity transportation of remains.
There are so many medical schools and institutes in Guangzhou (a two-hour drive from Shenzhen) and they are in great need of remains. But it s very difficult to get permission to transport the remains, Zhao said.
Amber Lee, a legal Web site worker, said people who intended to donate their remains had big hearts.
For me, it is accepted that I donate my organs after death, but it s unacceptable to use my body for medical research or samples, she said. (SD News)
