Organ Donation and Transplantation in India: An Inquiry in Kerala

Abstract

Until recently, financial incentive was the prinl,e motivation in transplantation of kidneys from nonrelated living donors in India. Prior to the Human Organ Transplantation Act of 1994, it was legal in all states of India to purchase and merchandise organs, eliminating the opportunity for black markets currently created by the enormous demandfororgans..Eightyears later, the question remains on how if at all The Act has changed the way organ donation is viewed and conducted in India. This study reveals attitudes and beliefs about organ donation in Indiafrom the perspectives of the doctors and the public. Interviewees expressed concerns and fears over the implementation of The Act. Mistrust of the medical profession and concerns about illegal buying and selling of organs were some major issues brought forth by the public. Additional issues were the need for public education, advertisement, and role models to promote organ donation in India. All interviewees hadprior knowledge of organ donation and did not require explanation of the concept. No one interviewed was opposed to organ donation. Many participants were aware of organ donation through Ashwaria Roy, aformer Miss World who does advertising campaigns promoting cornea donation in India.

Key Words:

• Organ donation
• India; public education
• Discursive interviews
• Brain death
• Organ transplantation