Dead Baby Pills Carry Lethal 'Super-Bacteria'

Thousands of pills made up of dead human foetuses that are being smuggled on the blackmarket have been found to contain potentially lethal bacteria.

The capsules were discovered by South Korean custom officials at Incheon Airport after they were attempted to be smuggled in from China.

The authorities said the smuggling of dead human foetuses had increased with 35 hauls containing 17,450 capsules being discovered since the first case was revealed in August 2011.

The capsules were made in northeastern China from babies whose bodies were chopped into small pieces and dried on stoves before being turned into powder, the Korea customs service said.

Laboratory analysis revealed the brown powdery substance found in the capsules was made from human remains.

A customs official said: "As we analysed the DNA, its DNA sequence is 99.7% to 99.9% coincided to human's.

"Super-bacteria and other virus and bacteria, which are harmful to the human body, have been detected."

The dead baby pills are believed to be in demand by Chinese workers or cancer patients in South Korea who believe they have stamina-enhancing qualities.