Organ procurement
The need for organs for transplantation far outstrips the supply. Efforts to increase donation must protect the interests of living and deceased donors.
Code of Medical Ethics opinions: organ procurement
- Transplantation of Organs from Living Donors: Opinion E-6.1.1
- Organ Donation after Cardiac Death: Opinion E-6.1.2
- Studying Financial Incentives for Cadaveric Organ Donation: Opinion E-6.1.3
- Presumed Consent & Mandated Choice for Organs from Deceased Donors: Opinion E-6.1.4
- Umbilical Cord Blood Banking: Opinion E-6.1.5
- Anencephalic Newborns as Organ Donors: Opinion E-6.1.6
Organ transplantation
Organ transplantation is unique in that it involves two patients, donor and recipient, both of whose interests must be protected.
Code of Medical Ethics opinions: organ transplantation
- Guidelines for Organ Transplantation: Opinion E-6.2.1
- Directed Donation of Organs for Transplantation: Opinion E-6.2.2
Special issues in organ procurement & transplantation
Xenotransplantation is a novel proposal for addressing the shortage of transplantable organs that can pose distinctive ethical challenges with respect to patient safety and public health.
Code of Medical Ethics opinions: special issues in organ procurement & transplantation
Chapter 6: Opinions on organ procurement & transplantation (PDF)
AMA Code of Medical Ethics
Visit the Code of Medical Ethics page to access additional Opinions, the Principles of Medical Ethics and a list of CME courses that are available.
These Opinions are offered as ethics guidance for physicians and are not intended to establish standards of clinical practice or rules of law.