Public attitudes toward donation of body parts, particularly the eye

A survey of 595 metropolitan Toronto residents aged 16 years or older was done during 1986-87 to assess their interest in organ and tissue donation in general and their willingness to donate eyes in particular. Subjects were selected at random from the telephone directory and were interviewed on the telephone with a prepared questionnaire. Most of the respondents were aware of the value and types of organ and tissue transplantation. Although 63% expressed a willingness to donate body parts, only 37% had signed the organ donation portion of their driver's licence or an organ donor card. The respondents who were unwilling to donate body parts expressed certain deep-rooted anxieties and fears. More public education is needed to allay the fears and misunderstandings that remain in the minds of many potential donors.