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World Journal of Surgery
Published in: World Journal of Surgery 7/2014

01-07-2014

Ethical Issues Regarding Related and Nonrelated Living Organ Donors

Author: Giuliano Testa

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 7/2014

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Abstract

The ethics of the clinical practice of transplanting human organs for end-stage organ disease is a fascinating topic. Who is the “owner” of the transplantable organs of a deceased, brain-dead patient? Who should have a right to receive these organs? Who set the boundaries between a living donor’s autonomy and a “paternalistic” doctor? What constitutes a proper consent? These questions are only some of the ethical issues that have been discussed in the last 60 years. All of these ethical issues are intensified by the fact that supply of human organs does not match demand, and that, as a consequence, living-donor organ transplantation is widely utilized. The aim of this article is not to be exhaustive but to present the general ethical principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice as applied to organ transplantation. Moreover, the topic of reimbursement for organ donation is also discussed.
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Metadata
Title
Ethical Issues Regarding Related and Nonrelated Living Organ Donors
Author
Giuliano Testa
Publication date
01-07-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 7/2014
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-014-2549-4

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