Vnitr Lek 2002, 48(7):667-670

[Ethical questions in organ transplantation].

P Nĕmec: Oddĕlení kardiochirurgie FN, Olomouc.

Klíčová slova: Bioethical Issues; Czech Republic; Health Care Rationing; Humans; Tissue Donors, supply & distribution, ; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Transplants

Increased numbers of organ transplantations entailed several ethical dilemmas. The principles of brain death, clinical signs and a confirmation tests are well established and accepted by the public. The transplantation society laid down the principles of organ allocation, but some ethical controversies may rise in the situation of the significant shortage of the donors. Even if the transplantation law exists, the ethical problems with the opting-in or the opting-out donation are still open to discussion. Also the problems associated with the organ shortage carry several ethical controversies. The tension between increasing demand and steady numbers of procured organs leads to the requirement of enough information. The general public must be informed about the results of the transplantations and about all the ethical aspect of the donation in order to achieve general support for the transplant program.