Improvement in Organ Shortage Through Education

Abstract

Given the persisting shortage of organs for transplantation, it is time to consider whether the message that is sent to society to encourage donation is unsuitable. This message is mainly based on altruism and solidarity, and it has failed. Patients die because of the lack of cadaver organs that society refuses to offer; paradoxically, society is denying itself a chance of life. The reasons for this enigma are (1) lack of awareness that transplantation is a common practice; (2) the persistence of the “cult of dead body integrity;” and (3) the myths surrounding transplantation. A pathway to solving this organ shortage may be education, to make society understand their need of organs for transplantation and its role to resolve this necessity. It should focus on youth but must also reach adults, through their children receiving this education, or from the media or other sources. It should erase the concept of integrity of the cadaver and establish that using cadaver organs means sharing and guaranteeing a source of health for humanity. Similarly, a new message should stress that “using” cadaver organs means “sharing a source of health for humankind.” Rather than “a gift of life” we should convey the idea of “sharing a social right and obligation” or that “My decision today assures my and my family health tomorrow.”