Influence of Socioeconomic and Ethical Factors on People's Behaviour Regarding the Use of Cadaveric Organs

An organ donation is based on feelings of human solidarity and altruism. This approach, however, has not improved the organ shortage problem. The following suggestions might help to dismantle the persistent barrier linked to organ donation. (1) Society should be aware that during our lifetime we might be as much potential organ recipients as organ donors. (2) Educational campaigns should integrate the notion that cadaver organs are an irreplaceable source of health for every member of society. (3) Communication campaigns should illustrate that in allowing the use of our organs after death, we are, in fact, sharing a chance to prolong health for everybody, including perhaps ourselves. Furthermore, people need to acknowledge that using body parts is acceptable, and part of a tacit agreement between all members of society. Making a live organ donation to which the donor is emotionally related is a pressure-free decision. On the contrary, the donation of cadaver organs is influenced by negative factors. Conversely, self-interest and resistance to offering the body of a loved one to a stranger may make donation much more difficult if the current message is not modified. In an international survey of 242 transplantation professionals, with a 57% response rate, 70% to 83% agreed with this proposal. An international public survey has recently been finished, showing some results about the public's knowledge about religious opinions concerning transplantation, suggesting that religious institutions should assume a leadership role to give information about their positions. On the other hand, partial results concerning public attitudes regarding economic support to organ donation indicate that final data may be of interest. The creation of a Task Force with representatives from the World Health Organization, UNESCO, churches, and leaders of the global transplantation community may be key to joint efforts as a means to modify negative attitudes, to develop a new philosophy, and to deliver a new message to society.