The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Case Report

When Is an Organ Donor Not an Organ Donor?

Authors: Roy R. Reeves, DO, PHD, William S. Agin, JD, Ethyl S. Rose, MD, Marti D. Reynolds, MDIV, Anthony R. Beazley, MDIV, BCC, Sharon P. Douglas, MD

Abstract

The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) grants any competent adult the legal right to designate whether he or she wishes to donate his or her organs for transplantation after death. However, contextual issues may interfere with organ donation by individuals who want to be organ donors. This case report describes a 58-year-old male who had properly documented his desire to donate his organs after his death, but was not allowed to be an organ donor because of his relatives' opinions. Ethical and legal aspects of the case are discussed.


Key Points


* The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act provides the legal framework for specification of one's wish to be an organ donor after death.


* Contextual features, such as the opinion of the family, may conflict with the decedent's wishes and legal rights. This may pose difficult dilemmas for organ procurement organizations, physicians, and hospitals.


* Based on the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, patient autonomy should be the most important factor in decisions regarding postmortem organ donation.

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