Issues of transplantation: ethics of potential legislative changes

Advances in transplantation technology and greater numbers of transplants have created an increasing disparity between the supply and the demand for organs. The new required-request legislation is only the beginning of legislation in this area. New legislation needs to increase the opportunity for donations without harming the rights of the patient. This author who has participated in the Surgeon General's Workshop on Organ Donation describes the issues involved in possible future legislation on organ and tissue donation.