title: When is an organ donor not an organ donor?
abstract: The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) grants any competent adult the legal right to designate whether he or she wishes to donate his or her organs for transplantation after death. However, contextual issues may interfere with organ donation by individuals who want to be organ donors. This case report describes a 58-year-old male who had properly documented his desire to donate his organs after his death, but was not allowed to be an organ donor because of his relatives' opinions. Ethical and legal aspects of the case are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Ethics, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. roy.reeves@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Roy R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Agin
authors.forename: Ethyl S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Marti D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Beazley
authors.forename: Sharon P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*