Table 1 Ethical principles in OTDT based on CBS Ethics consultation [7]
From: The COVID-19 pandemic and organ donation and transplantation: ethical issues
Ethical principles | Definition |
|---|---|
Self-sufficiency in organs | The obligation to increase the number of organ donors to meet the demand and prevent organ trafficking and transplant tourism |
Population-based | Organs from deceased donors are a societal resource |
Cost-effectiveness | Resources for the OTDT system should be used efficiently |
Accountability | Stakeholders involved in OTDT are individually responsible for their actions |
Collaboration and integration | Collaboration between all stakeholders to meet the healthcare needs of Canadians, and to integrate the opportunity for organ donation in all end-of-life care |
Fairness | Canadian patients should be treated fairly, regardless of characteristics such as income, gender, location, etc. Efforts should be made to improve access to organ transplantation for disadvantaged populations |
Security and safety | Since organs come from donors (living and deceased), there are inherent risks of disease transmission. Evidence and risk/benefit assessment should be considered in the decision whether to accept an organ |
Privacy | Donor and transplant candidate information is confidential |
Ethical practices in OTDT | OTDT should be aligned with Canadian values and should respect the altruistic nature of organ donation. OTDT should also be practised in an ethical manner that respects patients’ rights |