Donation benefit to organ donor families: a current debate

James A. Cutler, CPTC

From Southwest Transplant Alliance, Dallas, Texas.

Corresponding author: James A. Cutler, CPTC, Southwest Transplant Alliance, 3710 Rawlins, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75219).

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the waiting list of patients eligible for an organ transplant has doubled every 4 to 5 years since 1986. With <6000 donations occurring after death (cadaveric organ donors), the current system is failing most of the almost 80,000 patients waiting for an organ transplant. Since the early 1990s physicians and ethicists have recognized the deficiency of the current system and have explored other concepts for the organ donation structure in this country. The 2 most discussed alternative donation structures are presumed consent and financial incentives. (BUMC Proceedings 2002;15:133-134)