In organ transplants, Americans first?

ABSTRACT

KIE This case study involves a foreigner who has come to the United States hoping to obtain a kidney transplant. The woman's chances are not good because her funds are exhausted, kidneys are scarce, and U.S. citizens normally are given priority for available organs. Three commentators are asked on what grounds the decision to transplant non-immigrant aliens should be made, and by whom. Prottas, a member of the U.S. Task Force on Organ Transplantation, argues that, when a U.S. citizen and a non-resident are both suitable candidates, the former should take precedence by virtue of membership in the community that donated the organ. Jonasson, chair of the Task Force, urges an equitable allocation of organs, with five or ten percent reserved for foreigners. Kleinig, a philosopher, draws attention to international contributions to transplant technology, and advocates allocating perhaps ten percent of donated organs to non-residents.^ieng