The dilemma of unintentional discovery of misattributed paternity  in living kidney donors and recipients.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the issue of misattributed paternity and highlight the complex implications transplant centers must consider when this unsought information is discovered. Policies should be implemented to guide transplant centers in consistent and ethical treatment of this sensitive issue. Effective policy development will require close examination and transparent discussion by the transplant community.


RESULTS
Despite the fact that little attention has been given to the discovery of misattributed paternity in the field of transplant, transplant centers do encounter this dilemma. The burden of deciding how to treat the information is significant and reaching consensus can be difficult. Recent findings suggest that policy implementation regarding this issue would help to guide practice for professionals who encounter discovery of this unsought information.


CONCLUSIONS
This review explores the complex considerations that must occur when misattributed paternity is unintentionally uncovered in living donor-recipient pairs and recommends that the transplant community pursue policies to guide practice in the treatment of this issue.
Schroder
Nina M
NM
Department of Social Work, Division of Transplantation, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. nschroder@smail.umaryland.edu
D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000941:ethics; D006291:Health Policy; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D019520:Living Donors / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010334:Paternity; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014342:Truth Disclosure / Q000941:ethics*