Policy and Ethics – Donors Cadaveric

versus

Living Donors

Amy Lu, MD

Georgetown University

David Cronin, MD, PhD

University of Chicago

Is it ethical to use organs from cadaveric donors in a Phase I experimental study, considering that these organs are in very short supply?

Should potential donors or their families be able to restrict donation so that organs would not be available for our study subjects?

In the absence of data on the safety and efficacy of transplants in HIV + individuals, is it ethical to allow living donors to assume the risks of donation?

What are the informed consent issues related to living donation? Should the potential recipient be required to reveal his or her HIV status to potential donors?