Animal Rights Group Condemns Hong Kong Firm Over Experiments Maintaining Detached Heads and Limbs

Animal rights group PETA calls for a ban on HKTV's experiments that keep detached heads and limbs of pigs and sheep viable for hours.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

Controversial "Life Science Project" Revealed

A major Hong Kong e-commerce giant has found itself at the center of an ethical firestorm following a stock exchange filing on March 30. Hong Kong Technology Venture (HKTV), the parent company of HKTVmall, disclosed that its research team has been developing specialized equipment designed to maintain the viability of body organs after they have been separated from a living host. Since 2022, the team—comprised of doctors and professors—has conducted 38 experiments on animals, specifically pigs and sheep. The company reported that detached heads remained viable for approximately seven hours, while limbs were kept "alive" for up to 46 hours, a feat they believe to be a global first in medical research.

PETA Denounces "Cruel" Exploratory Research

The revelation drew immediate condemnation from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Jason Baker, President of PETA Asia, issued a formal letter to HKTV on April 1, demanding an end to the tests. Baker described the research as "purely exploratory" and argued that the benefits were "highly speculative." The group maintains that the psychological and physical suffering inflicted on the animals outweighs any potential scientific gain, particularly when the research is conducted by a commercial entity rather than a dedicated medical institution.

Scientific Ambition vs. Ethical Standards

HKTV has defended its "Life Science Project," stating that all procedures are conducted under appropriate anesthesia and in accordance with international regulatory standards from Europe and the United States. The company argues that the technology's ultimate goal is to improve organ preservation, facilitate limb transplantation, and advance blood regeneration, particularly for the benefit of the elderly. This research follows similar international breakthroughs, such as a 2022 U.S. study that restored certain cellular functions in pigs an hour after death. HKTV has already invested HK$44.5 million (S$7.2 million) into the venture and plans to commit at least HK$50 million annually to the project.