Current Global Bioethical Dilemmas in Corneal Transplantation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Bioethics
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Global shortage of donor corneas for transplantation.
• Increasing demand for corneal transplants worldwide.
• Existing ethical frameworks for organ and tissue donation.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze bioethical dilemmas in corneal transplantation.
• Examine ethical issues in organ and tissue donation processes.
• Discuss challenges in corneal tissue allocation and banking.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Inclusion of cornea specialist experiences from three countries.
• Analysis of bioethical principles in transplantation.

Main Results:

• Identified dilemmas: informed consent, tissue allocation, transplant tourism, cross-border tissue trade, and for-profit eye banks.
• Shortage of corneal tissue impacts ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice).
• Emergence of unregulated practices due to tissue scarcity.

Conclusions:

• Corneal tissue scarcity creates significant bioethical challenges.
• Ethical guidelines like the Barcelona Principles and WHO Principles are crucial for regulating practices.
• Need for continued ethical oversight in corneal transplantation to uphold patient welfare and justice.