ITN Vol 2; Issue 7, 2000

Brain Death and organ donation (Case Study - Money or Organ Exchange)

This issue contained the first of a series of case studies of real-life situations addressing legal, ethical and moral issues surrounding deceased organ donation. The first case study was about the wife of a potential organ donor who initially consented but withheld consent just before organ retrieval and demanded money.

“...a section of the panelists felt that the wife's demand was probably justified. Indirect incentives in the form of jobs for family members, free education by the government, tax breaks could be included in the THO act, it was suggested. However it was necessary to ensure that whatever incentive was offered did not lower the dignity of organ donation...”