Gender disparity in organ donation

Organ donation is affected by legal, cultural, religious, and racial factors, as well as by health considerations. Although organs in and of themseves are gender neutral and can be exchanged between the sexes, women account for up to two thirds of all organ clonations. There are no clear reasons why women are more willing to undergo the risks of surgery than are men, nor is this gender disparity mirrored in the demand for donated organs. More men, than women are recipients, and women are less likely to complete the necessary steps to receive donated organs. Internationally, ethical concern has been focused on possilble human rights violations in the Harvesting of organs from prisoners and, in poor countries, on die trafficking of organs from girls and women who are expected to financially help their familes by selling their organs.