AST Adopts Position Statement On Transplant Tourism

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 10 Jul 2007 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The American Society of Transplantation (AST), an international organization of more than 2,700 transplantation professionals, recently released the Society's position statement regarding Transplant Tourism. Transplant Tourism refers to the increasing number of transplant candidates who travel abroad for the purpose of obtaining an organ transplant. According to David Briscoe, MD, Chair of the AST Public Policy Committee, "This position statement familiarizes government officials and other interested individuals with the AST's concerns regarding transplant tourism outside the United States to assist in shaping public policy and developing legislation."

Transplant Tourism

AST supports initiatives to promote organ availability from living donors in the US. Waiting lists for organs are long and have led to an alarming number of US residents seeking organs abroad. Although Transplant Tourism does not conflict with US law, AST opposes the practice because it is poorly regulated and has the potential to result in the exploitation of the donor. AST has advocated for initiatives to protect living donors in the US and promotes the same uniform standards for the protection of living donors abroad.

Transplant Tourism is the most recent topic to be added to the AST's portfolio of public policy position statements. These statements are used to further educate and inform targeted leaders and staff in Congress and the Administration about the field of solid organ transplantation. The Society's issue papers address many of the most commonly asked questions by federal decision-makers and include the following topics: access to transplantation, donor designation, future directions, immunosuppressive drug coverage, insurance coverage, internet-based patient registries, living organ donation, organ allocation, organ donation, paired organ exchange, patient care, pediatrics, research/NIH funding, and stem cell. To review these positions in details, visit the AST website at http://www.a-s-t.org.

About AST

The American Society of Transplantation is dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation through the promotion of research, education, advocacy, and organ donation to improve patient care. The Society includes more than 2,700 transplant physicians, surgeons and allied health professionals. This year AST is celebrating 25 years of promoting excellence in the field. For more information, go to http://www.a-s-t.org.

American Society of Transplantation
http://www.a-s-t.org

• Additional
• References
• Citations