Transplant tourism.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the ongoing organ donor shortage, transplant tourism is occurring at an increasing rate both in the USA and abroad. To date, there have been little published data to help guide the programmatic philosophy of the USA transplant centers regarding transplant tourism.


RESULTS
We summarize position statements from several transplant societies regarding transplant tourism and specifically transplantation occurring in China (because of the use of executed prisoners as organ donors). Transplant tourism is ever increasing and patients may be at risk for greater post-transplant morbidity as well as inadequate follow up care. Transplant centers require some guidance with regard of how to deal with these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Transplant tourism is an increasing reality facing the USA transplant centers. Most professional societies do not condone it yet cannot abrogate a physician's right to care for such patients. Ethical principles mandate transplant physicians provide adequate care for returning transplant tourists. Better ways of assessing the scope of the problem are necessary. Transplant tourism may exist because of the disparity between the need for organ donors and their availability and is thus is likely to continue into the future.
Schiano
Thomas D
TD
Division of Liver Diseases, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA. Thomas.Schiano@mountsinai.org
Rhodes
Rosamond
R
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002681:China; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D057193:Medical Tourism / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011639:Public Opinion; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014481:United States