Rewards for organ donation: the time has come

Kidney Int. 2006 Mar;69(6):955-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.ki.5000281.

Abstract

Strategies to expand the pool of solid organs for transplantation have had only limited success. Waiting times exceeding 5 years and/or waiting mortality are not uncommon. A system of financial rewards for living and deceased organ donation is proposed. The reward program would be administered by the federal government. Donors or beneficiaries would receive a fixed financial reward, similar to the payout of an insurance policy, from a federal agency. Such a system would be consistent with similar financial rewards given in our society to recognize instances of personal self-sacrifice and risk taking performed for the benefit of others.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Altruism
  • Humans
  • Living Donors / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Living Donors / psychology
  • Living Donors / statistics & numerical data
  • Living Donors / supply & distribution
  • Motivation
  • Organ Transplantation / economics*
  • Organ Transplantation / ethics
  • Organ Transplantation / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Reward
  • Tissue Donors / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Tissue Donors / statistics & numerical data
  • Tissue Donors / supply & distribution
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / economics*
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / ethics
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Waiting Lists