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Transplantation

Transplant tourism—an update regarding the realities

A recent article exposes the ongoing industry of transplant tourism in China, where foreign patients can receive vendor organs recovered from executed prisoners. Concerning data reveal the long-term complications of kidney transplant tourism, particularly the increased risk of malignancy. These findings relay an important message to transplant communities and physicians worldwide.

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Delmonico, F. Transplant tourism—an update regarding the realities. Nat Rev Nephrol 7, 248–250 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2011.40

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