Ethical Aspects of Organ Transplantation

Abstract

Organ transplantation has been a combination of the technical,
the practical and the ethical since its initiation. Apart from
the medical and surgical skillfulness and a sound knowledge
of therapeutics and immunobiology, organ transplantation
success requires not to harm to the recipient (patient) as
well as the donor. Successful transplant attempt gives life
and quality life to the organ recipients, however, there are
issues such as organ trafficking, organ tourism and
commercialism that serves to threat practically and ethically.
Human organ trafficking is one of the most wicked crime
committed and is believed to be the most profitable business
globally1. Transplant tourism is the travelling of the welloff
individual suffering from life threatening and irrevocable
organ failure to other country usually poor country for organ
transplantation2. Although commercialism is a part of our
daily life nowadays and it is indispensable to a certain extent
however, transplant commercialism is not only dangerous
for recipients but also to their donors, physicians, surgeons
as well as community. The Declaration on Organ Trafficking
and Transplant Tourism of Istanbul defines as “ya policy or
practice in which an organ is treated as a commodity,
including by being bought or sold or used for material gain”3.
Before launching of the renal transplant rule, Pakistan
became the centre for illegal renal transplant for many years
that includes Pakistan in one of the top five culprit countries
for organ trafficking.
The fundamental principles of bioethics such as nonmaleficence,
beneficence, health maximization, efficiency,
respect for autonomy, justice are need to be in consideration
before taking decisions for organ transplantation. The primary
objective of the policy makers must be the health security
of the recipients and the donors along with the integrity that
should be respected. Every independent individual has the
right to decide and make rational choices on his own benefit.
However, assessment of risk and benefit are required for
fair decisions and equality and equity among human beings.