Ethics and organ transplantation

Question 1

what are the different types of transplants

Answer 1

1. living donor (lobe of the liver or a kidney)
   - directed or non directed
2. cadaver (brain dead)
   - 90% of organs come from these individuals

Question 2

how is consent achieved for transplants

Answer 2

for living donors, they are informed and unpaid
- directed: family member, non related but close to patient
- non directed: altruistic/anonymous

Question 3

how is permission for organ donation given for cadaver donations in opt in legislation

Answer 3

• by the deceased person (by registering or carrying a donor card)
• if no decision by deceased person, next of kin can decide

Question 4

what occurs in opt out legislation for cadaver donations

Answer 4

it is always the deceased person who decides
- first person consent

Question 5

what is presumed consent

Answer 5

1. in an opt in system, if the person hasn’t decided to opt in, the relatives decide
2. in an opt out system, if the person hasn’t opted out, there is presumed consent
3. to presume consent allows the relatives of the deceased to confirm that donation can go ahead
4. legally presumed but close relatives can veto donation

Question 6

how does organ allocation occur

Answer 6

• limited resource
• distributive justice
• fairly divide resources
• equal access
• maximum benefit

Question 7

what is the current organ distribution system based on

Answer 7

1. medical need
2. probability of success
3. time on waiting list

Question 8

what are the 3 conditions where organ donation is ruled out

Answer 8

1. cancer that has spread in the last 12 months
2. a severe or untreated infection
3. Creutzfeldt Jakob disease- rare condition that affects he nervous system and causes brain damage

Question 9

what is the criteria of brain death

Answer 9

1. unreceptivity and unresponsiveness
2. no movement or breathing
3. no reflexes
4. flat electroencephalogram