Organ Donation and Transplantation - An Interdisciplinary Approach

This book brings together researchers from three different continents who present different perspectives on the complex issue of organ donation. Several important authors have contributed to this edited book on organ donation discussing the phenomenon from different aspects, particularly the psychological, medico-legal, religious and communications perspectives. Some of the authors have not only studied these questions academically, but they themselves are live organ donors or organ recipients as well. The chapters by Cole, Camilleri-Zahra, Schweda and Wolhke, Siegel, Anker and Jansen give importance to the voice of organ donors, recipients and their families. They discuss the dilemmas which donors, recipients and their families face when they come to learn that a family member needs an organ transplant, and the subsequent difficult decisions that have to be made by the recipients, possible donors and family members. The phases before and after the donation of organs are as important as the donation itself. Fear, guilt and other strong emotions are intrinsic to the donation process both in live donation as well as in cadaveric donation. The psychological and health challenges presented by organ donation, discussed by Lauri, Maloney, Walker and Charlton, Shanteau and Hyde, are compounded by legal, religious and cultural issues, which will also be discussed in different chapters of the book by Ellul, Borg and Reinhart. Finally, the chapters by Alvaro, Feeley and Yang discuss how the media can influence and inform public attitudes towards organ donation and discuss how it can help increase the number of organ donors. This book is meant for those who, in some way, come in contact with people who need an organ transplant and those who have to help people come to reach informed decisions.