Views sought on organ and tissue donation
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has released draft guidelines on organ and tissue donation for situations when, during their lifetime, Australians choose to donate organs or tissues, often to help a family member and sometimes also as a generous gift for other members of the community.
The NHMRC guidelines focus on donation during the donors’ lifetime and are not addressing consent to organ donation after death. They are being developed to help potential donors and their families make informed decisions about organ and tissue donation, and to help health professionals better understand the ethical principles involved.
People choosing to donate an organ or tissue during their lifetime is common in Australia, with many types of regenerative tissues, such as blood, bone marrow and bone segments being regularly donated.
Donation of other organs, such as kidneys, is also regularly carried out in Australia. Worldwide advances in medical technology have made new things possible in organ and tissue transplants – which bring with them ethical issues.
“The draft guidelines seek to address some of these issues. Every submission made will be considered before finalising the new guidelines.
Closing date for submissions is 2 October 2006. The draft guidelines and details of how to make a submission are available on the NHMRC’s website at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/consult/index.htm
