China's State Council on Thursday passed a draft regulation to tighten controls on human organ transplants.

The draft regulation bans human organ trading, and says the donation of organs should respect the will of donors and be conducted voluntarily.

The State Councilors agreed on the draft, saying that human organ transplants were a great step forward in medical science and an important life-saving medical procedure.

The draft regulation was passed at a regular meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday and will be issued and implemented after further amendment.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2007)