Reverse Transplant Tourism

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Keywords

kidney transplantation, organ transplantation, kidney markets, organ markets, kidney swap, transplant tourism, kidney transplants, organ donation, National Organ Transplant Act, NOTA

Abstract

In this article, we propose a novel form of kidney swap, which we label “Reverse Transplant Tourism.” This proposal has the potential to increase the number of successful transplants in the US at a time of great need, while reducing costs. It also will provide benefits to impoverished international patients with willing, compatible donors who otherwise would have no access to transplantation. Instead of non-US kidney donors being offered money through a black market middleman in exchange for one of their kidneys, Reverse Transplant Tourism would provide a legal and ethical exchange of living donor kidneys through kidney-paired donation. In this way, the donors will not receive money for their kidneys, but rather will receive a transplant for someone they love, while also helping a US pair who would otherwise be unable to transplant due to biological incompatibility.

Link to Full Text

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Kidneys--Transplantation, Donation of organs, tissues, etc.--Law and legislation, Medical tourism--Law and legislation, National Organ Transplant Act, Donation of organs tissues etc., Medical tourism, United States

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