China says it will end organ transplants from executed prisoners from January 1 . Traditional beliefs discourage organ donation in China and rates are very low . Donors are also put off by fears their organs will end up traded for profit . Since the beginning of the year , 1,500 people have donated organs -- more than the total between 2010 and 2013 . Cultural beliefs make it difficult to end the reliance on convicts ' organs .
China says it will end organ transplants from executed prisoners from January 1 . Traditional beliefs discourage organ donation in China and rates are very low . Donors are also put off by fears their organs will end up traded for profit . Cultural beliefs make it difficult to end the reliance on convicts ' organs .