Organ donation legislation: the role of the physician

Organ and tissue transplants offer an opportunity to save or improve the quality of life of many people who would otherwise die or continue to suffer needlessly without such procedures. Despite the critical need for organs and tissues for transplantation, an acute shortage of these "gifts of life" remains. This article contrasts public and physician attitudes that may hinder donation of organs and tissues for transplantation, gives an overview of state and federal laws that are designed in part to overcome these attitudes, and describes the role of the physician in regard to these laws.