RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Ethical guidelines for the evaluation of living organ donors
JF Canadian Journal of Surgery
JO CAN J SURG
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 408
OP 413
VO 47
IS 6
A1 Linda Wright
A1 Karen Faith
A1 Robert Richardson
A1 David Grant
YR 2004
UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/47/6/408.abstract
AB Transplantation is an effective, life-prolonging treatment for organ failure. Demand has steadily increased over the past decade, creating a shortage in the supply of organs. In addition, the number of deceased organ donors has reached a plateau.Living-donor transplantation is increasingly an option, influenced by favourable clinical outcomes and increased waiting times at most transplant centres across North America. Living-donor kidney transplants have exceeded deceased-donor transplant rates at some centres.Organ donations from living donors have challenged transplant programs to develop a framework for determining donor acceptability. After a multidisciplinary consensus-building process of discussion and debate, the Multi-Organ Transplant Program of the University Health Network in Toronto has developed ethical guidelines for these procedures. These proposed guidelines address ethical concerns related to selection criteria and procedures, voluntariness, informed consent and disclosure of risks and benefits to both donor and recipient.