A peek into China’s thriving black market for human placentas
Illegal supply coming from Beijing hospitals and traders can earn 100,000 yuan a month, newspaper finds
China has not been able to curb a thriving black market for human placentas – believed to provide nutrients and health benefits for new mothers – which are often illegally sourced from hospitals, a newspaper investigation has found.
The trade in human placentas is banned in China, but the black market is alive and well, with sellers saying they can easily earn 100,000 yuan (US$14,500) a month, according to The Beijing News.
The paper’s investigation found an established network of placenta traders in the capital city, with hospitals selling fresh placentas and buyers misleading new mothers for theirs.
Li Ping, a 40-year-old seller in the market, claims she can buy a fresh placenta from a hospital for 400 yuan, and sell it directly at a 100-yuan markup. But for placenta that she and her team processes and repackage into capsules, they can be sold for 800 yuan, or 10 yuan per capsule.
Many of her customers believe that eating capsules of placenta, which helps fetuses receive nutrients in the womb, has beauty benefits, can enrich their blood, or even be used to treat burns or infertility. This practice is popular around the world, and endorsed by celebrities including Kim Kardashian and January Jones.
