Strategies (not financial) for organ donors explored

Studies seek to find clinical and social interventions for boosting organ donations.

By Andis Robeznieks, AMNews staff. Oct. 21, 2002.

The federal government recently awarded 16 grants totaling $5.2 million to study ways to boost organ donation. None of the grant-winning proposals, however, included any mention of financial incentives.

Citing a 1984 prohibition against "valuable consideration" for organs, a representative for the Heath and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration said such a study was out of the question.

"It is illegal to buy and sell organs, so -- of course -- we cannot give grants for something that's illegal," the representative said.

Last summer, after heated debate, the AMA House of Delegates voted to endorse the idea of studying whether offering modest financial incentives -- such as helping with the funeral expenses of an organ donor -- would increase organ donation rates.

The American Society of Transplant Surgeons ethics committee also voted that such studies would be ethically acceptable, and the United Network for Organ Sharing board of directors voted to support legislation that would allow such studies.

Leonard J. Morse, MD, chair of the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, said the grants show organ donation is "gaining momentum," but he is disappointed that a financial incentive study wasn't included.

He wasn't particularly surprised by HHS' reasoning, however.

"It appears we have an uphill road to travel to convince the legislature to allow a limited study," he said. "The AMA position represents a very, very, responsible, deliberative process. There was serious and emotional testimony on both sides of the equation." [...]