Chinese teenager sells kidney to buy an iPad 2

A teenager in China has sold one of his kidneys in order to buy an iPad 2. The 17-year-old, identified only as Little Zheng, said he had arranged the sale of the kidney over the internet. The story only came to light after the teenager's mother became suspicious.

It all started when the high school student saw an online advert offering money to organ donors. Illegal agents organised a trip to the hospital and paid him $3,392 (£2,077) after the operation.


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With the cash the student bought an iPad 2, as well as a laptop. When his mother noticed the computers and the deep red scar on his body, which was caused by the surgery, Little Zheng confessed.

The case highlights China's black market in organ trafficking. A scarcity of organ donors has led to a flourishing trade. In 2007, Chinese authorities banned organ trafficking and have introduced a voluntary donor scheme to try to combat the trade.