State, federal statutes guide organ donation procedures

To assist in improving the network of organ donors and recipients and in raising public awareness, Congress enacted the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984. The act established an Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, created a Task Force on Organ Transplantation, and made in unlawful to sell or buy human organs for transplantation for "valuable consideration." At the state level, legislation has closely followed the procedures outlined in the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. But despite the state and federal statutes, a critical shortage of organs and tissues for transplantation persists. Addressing this problem, approximately 31 states have passed legislation that requires hospitals to request approval for donations from the relatives of potential donors. A generally positive public attitude toward organ transplantation suggests that eventually such legislation could help to increase the supply of organs. In the meantime, however, organ selection and prioritizing processes, particularly those which relate to geographic distribution, will continue to be closely scrutinized.