Way back in the 70’s, science fiction writer Larry Niven made the following prediction (and built some plots around it as well): there’s a technological race between artificial human organs and organ transplantation, and if transplantation wins, then a connection with capital punishment is inevitable. In fact, transplantation needs will become a force for more frequent executions.
I don’t know if this story is accurate, but the prediction is reportedly coming true in China.
Tim Converse 