Should We Formulate an Incentivized Model Facilitating Kidney Donation from Living Donors? A Focus on Turkey's...

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Transplantation Medicine
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Kidney transplantation is vital but faces a critical organ shortage.
• The demand-supply gap fuels illegal kidney trafficking and exploitation.
• Existing donation programs are insufficient, especially in regions with low deceased donation rates like Turkey.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze kidney trafficking within Turkey's organ donation framework.
• To propose the Incentivized Kidney Donation Model (IKDM) to boost living donor kidney contributions.
• To address ethical concerns and enhance societal solidarity in organ donation.

Main Methods:

• A normative model (IKDM) is proposed.
• The model outlines specific incentives for living kidney donors.
• Analysis is framed within Turkey's current organ donation system and ethical principles.

Main Results:

• The IKDM aims to increase living kidney donations ethically.
• Proposed donor benefits include lifetime health insurance, priority in organ receipt and employment, and financial exemptions.
• The model seeks to foster altruism and societal solidarity.

Conclusions:

• The IKDM offers a potential solution to kidney shortages and trafficking.
• Incentivizing living donation can ethically increase organ availability.
• The model aligns with ethical values and international principles for organ donation.