Organ Donation Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Organ Donation, including details on risks, procedure, surgery, outcomes.

Organ trafficking: scope and ethical dilemma.

Mor E, Boas H

Department of Transplantation, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah-Tiqva 49100, Israel. emor@clalit.org.il

The Israeli experience discloses the relationship between the traditional altruistic basis of organ donation and the new alternatives based on a utilitarian conception of unrelated compensated donation. Although organ trafficking in Israel was dramatically intensified, cadaveric and living-related donations decreased. Reforms in living donations, such as evaluation committees for unrelated directed donors, were insignificant in terms of meeting the demand of patients and reducing the volume of trafficking. It is our contention that battling organ trafficking should provide patients with a realistic alternative for kidney donations. Our model of regulated nondirect paid donations is planned to legalize significant compensation for the unrelated donors drawing individuals from falling into the trap of organ traders. This program, together with uncompromised penalties, would hopefully eradicate organ trafficking.

Published 21 July 2005 in Curr Diab Rep, 5(4): 294-9.

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