Prioritizing registered donors in organ allocation:  an ethical appraisal of the Israeli organ transplant law.
OBJECTIVE
A new organ transplant law in Israel, which gives priority in organ allocation to candidates who in various ways support organ donation, has resulted in a significant increase in organ donation in 2011. We provide an ethical analysis of the new law.


RESULTS
We note that by continuing to require opt-in consent, the Israeli law has an ethical advantage over opt-out laws, which may result in some use of organs from donors who have not consented. We discuss the fair response to 'free-riding' candidates who, usually for religious reasons, are opposed to donation, but nevertheless seek a transplant, who will not receive any priority over candidates who have been registered donors for at least 3 years before listing. We spell out several reasons why it is potentially unfair to prioritize patients whose first-degree relatives are registered donors, whereas it is fair to prioritize candidates who have been living directed or nondirected donors. Finally, we note the difficulty of ensuring public awareness of the priority system, which is necessary for its fairness.


CONCLUSIONS
Athough needing some modifications, the new Israeli law is based on sound ethical approach that seems to begin already to bear fruits.
Heart Transplantation Unit, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Leviev Heart Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel. jaylavee@netvision.net.il
Jacob
J
Lavee
Dan W
DW
Brock
D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D019520:Living Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*