Finding a Living Donor:
A Word of Caution on Chat Rooms, Message Boards & Organ Solicitation
The use of Internet services such as MatchingDonors.com, chat rooms and message boards is becoming a popular way for patients needing a transplant to attempt to find a live donor. While the Internet itself is not a corrupt technology, transplant centers around the country are encountering ethical dilemmas with some of these patient matching services. As a patient who needs a life saving organ, you are very vulnerable and are at risk of being taken advantage of by individuals (potential donors/donors) who do not have altruistic motivations.
Organ donation is a gift and it is a federal crime to buy an organ in the United States. Yet, as a clinical ethicist, I and my colleagues in the field have encountered Internet procured matches which involve harassment of patients for money and even the outright intent to buy an organ. I have found several potential donors who were not transparent about their criminal past and one was even on probation at the time of assessment (though he denied it). These issues cause one to be wary of the motivations of the potential donor. The lack of honesty raises the possibility that a trusting doctor-patient relationship might never be established. Also, if the potential donor is lying to the transplant team, is he/she being truthful to the intended recipient?
Lack of Screening Common on Internet Sites
You should be aware that Internet matching services such as Matchingdonors.com do not screen the potential donors on their sites to verify identity, information or motivation for donation. Just like enrolling in a dating service, you must ask yourself: do you really know these people by reading their biography or chatting with them online? Is the information posted really his/her true identity? What is the real motivation for seeking to be a live donor?
Several professional transplant organizations have assessed the problem, including the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). UNOS philosophically opposes programs such as MatchingDonors.com because they “exploit vulnerable populations and undermine public trust.” UNOS also believes that there is “too much opportunity for deceptive practice” (PDF, 236KB). NATCO, The Organization for Transplant Professionals, also opposes living donor solicitation (PDF, 26KB).
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National Kidney Registry Provides Useful Tool
In an effort to advocate for your safety and welfare, the Kidney Team at California Pacific Medical Center strongly discourages patients from using Internet matching services such as that discussed above. We do, however, feel that the National Kidney Registry offers helpful assistance. They have a living donor screening process and verify that all donors have their own health insurance. Consider viewing their website, specifically the section for individuals who currently lack a living donor.