Abstract

The use of living donor kidneys has dramatically increased the number and success of kidney transplants across the world. But questions remain regarding the subjection of a healthy individual to surgery for the benefit of another. Donors do have medical and financial risks. The stigma of organ brokering remains today, with evidence of commercial transplantation in other countries. Here in the US, we are exposed to advertising for donors using the media. In the hope of increasing living donations, we run the risk of stretching altruism too far. In this manuscript, we highlight and discuss some of the current controversies surrounding living donor kidney transplantation across the world.

Key Points

* Living donation has increased the number of kidney transplantations, but donors do risk medical and financial complications.

* There is a risk of commercialization of transplantation with the use of the media for advertising.

* With the hope of increasing living donations, we risk stretching the altruism of donors too far.