Chinese teen sells kidney for an iPad 2

By Molly McHugh June 2, 2011

In a true show of brand loyalty, a 17-year-old Chinese teenager sold his kidney in order to buy an iPad 2. Shanghai Daily reports that Anhui Province Zheng was able to net 20,000 ($3,084.45) for the organ but now as his health is worsening, he is regretting the decision. “I wanted to buy an iPad 2 but could not afford it. A broker contacted me on the Internet and said he could help me sell one kidney for 20,000 yuan.”

Zheng sold the kidney in late April. The surgery, as it turns out, was performed at a hospital that did not meet the qualifications for organ transplants. After Zheng returned home with his new Apple electronics (reported to also include an iPhone – we’re uncertain whether this is a typo or Zheng simply stocked up on his iOS devices), his mother demanded to know where they come from. After she learned of their origin, she reported the matter to the police. The hospital is claiming to know nothing about the surgery.

The story was originally reported by SZTV news channel. In the video, Zheng reveals his large scar, and it appears that his family is very emotional discussing the situation. Apple fanboys are known to be devoted to what can be considered ridiculous, zealot-like lengths, but this type of iOS idolatry puts them all to shame. Take a look at the original TV broadcast below, reported entirely in Chinese.

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Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

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