Debate: Modern relationships in living organ donation: opportunity or risk?

At our review of the year on Tuesday 26 July, there was a debate exploring the opportunities and risks involved in modern relationships in living organ donation.

Issue date: 6 July 2011

The debate followed our public Authority meeting at the Wellcome Trust Conference centre in central London. The discussion examined how, as relationships between potential donors and recipients become increasingly varied, the HTA can continue to ensure that living organ donation is something people enter into freely and without financial reward.

Speakers presented their perspective on the issue, followed by a discussion with the audience. The issues for debate included whether the risk of reward is increased when the donor wants to decide who receives the organ and they have not met the recipient. These cases may include relationships formed on the internet, and between distant cousins. And, if the risk is greater, how we can ensure no reward is in fact involved. Speakers included Greg Moorlock, Centre of Biomedical Ethics, University of Birmingham, Dr Bronwyn Parry, Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London and Dr Emma Massey, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

A report on the event including video footage will be posted on our website shortly.