China: Over 4,000 Bodies Sold in Multi-Million Dollar Corpse Scheme | Firstpost America

Summary

A scandal in China has exposed the illegal sale of over 4,000 corpses meant for cremation to biomaterial companies, generating $53 million in revenue over eight years. Involving funeral homes, doctors, and state-owned enterprises, the scheme saw corpses turned into bone grafting materials, violating ethical guidelines and exploiting grieving families. The case came to light in 2023 after an audit of a hospital faculty member's earnings, leading to the seizure of biomaterial products and assets linked to the trade.

Takeaways

• 🔍 A scandal in China has been exposed involving the illegal trafficking of over 4,000 human corpses meant for cremation.
• 🏥 The bodies were sold to two major biomaterial companies, Shanxi Ostad Biomaterial and Sichuan Henu Technology, which are linked to the state.
• 💰 The illegal trade generated nearly $53 million in revenue over eight years, from 2015 to 2023.
• 🧑‍⚕️ The scheme implicated funeral home managers, doctors, and company shareholders across at least seven provinces.
• 📦 The corpses were processed into bone grafting materials, used in medical procedures.
• 🏚️ Funeral homes in Yunan, Giju, Sichuan, and the Chongqing municipality were involved in the illegal trade, charging for cremation services but selling the bodies instead.
• 💼 Unclaimed bodies were selected for the illegal trade, and in some cases, bodies were purchased from funeral homes by a staff member at Guan Medical University.
• 📋 Shanxi Ostad staff fabricated documentation to bypass regulatory oversight and cover their tracks.
• 🚨 The scandal was uncovered in September 2023 by China's National Audit Office during an investigation into irregular earnings of a faculty member.
• 🚔 Authorities seized over 34,000 biomaterial products, 18 tons of semi-finished goods, nearly 16 properties, and at least 29 vehicles related to the illegal trade.
• 👨‍⚖️ All 75 suspects have admitted to their roles, and a lawyer who exposed the nationwide trade has been removed from his position at a Beijing law firm.

Q & A

What is the scandal mentioned in the script about?

The scandal involves the illegal trade of over 4,000 human corpses that were supposed to be cremated but were instead sold to biomaterial companies, generating millions in revenue.

How many years did this scheme reportedly span?

The scheme is reported to have spanned over eight years, from 2015 to 2023.

Which two major biomaterial companies were implicated in the scandal?

Shansi Ostad Biomaterial and Sichuan Henu Technology were the two companies involved in the illegal trade of human corpses.

What was the revenue generated from the illegal sale of these corpses?

The illegal trade generated nearly $53 million in revenue.

What role did funeral homes play in this scheme?

Funeral homes charged families for cremation services but instead sold the corpses to hospitals for dissection and storage, and then to the biomaterial companies.

Which provinces were involved in this scheme?

The scheme spanned at least seven provinces in China, including Sichuan, Yunan, Giju, and the Chongqing municipality.

How were the corpses obtained by the companies?

The corpses were collected from funeral homes, and in some cases, unclaimed bodies were chosen for the illegal trade.

What was the role of the staff member at the anatomy department of Guan Medical University?

The staff member purchased at least 450 corpses from three funeral homes, paying around $125 per body, which were then sold to Shansi Ostad for up to $400 each.

What actions did Shansi Ostad staff take to cover their illegal activities?

Shansi Ostad staff mishandled the corpses and fabricated necessary documentation to bypass strict regulatory oversight governing the use of cadaveric tissue for medical purposes.

How did the scandal come to light?

The scandal was uncovered in September 2023 when China's National Audit Office began investigating the irregular earnings of a faculty member at a teaching hospital, leading to the discovery of the broader scheme.

What actions have been taken by the authorities in response to the scandal?

Authorities seized over 34,000 biomaterial products, at least 18 tons of semi-finished goods, nearly 16 properties, and at least 29 vehicles linked to the illegal trade. All 75 suspects involved have admitted to their roles.

What was the consequence for the lawyer who blew the whistle on the trade?

The lawyer who exposed the nationwide trade in stolen and dismembered corpses has been removed from his position as director of a Beijing law firm.