Organ donation is a very controversial topic with various questions and proceedings involved to obtain an organ. While there are people that believe that organ donation is unethical and should not be supported, it is urgent in today?s society for organ donation to be available for all. Possibly, if our nation was more aware of this growing issue, there would not be so many concerns regarding this topic, however the number of people willing to donate organs isn?t anywhere close to the actual number of people that need donated organs. Within the ever changing medical field it is urgent that something should be done about the shortage of donations as it is becoming more and more vital for people to obtain a transplant every day.
The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), was established in 1968, in all of the fifty states. This act provided that at the time of a persons? death their kidneys, liver, or other organs could be used to benefit a life.
English: Chart of Ontario Transplant By Organ
Organ Donation
English: Chart of waiting lists for organ transpla...Due to this act there have been numerous people benefiting from living a longer, fuller life because of the gift of an organ. After being accepted to receive an organ transplant, the person is registered with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS Organ Center) after which a system of computers links all organ procurement organizations, also called OPOS. They are a non-profit organization and become involved when a patient has been declared as being brain dead therefore becoming a potential candidate. The Organ Center matches, and transports the shared organs throughout the United States. The computer system automatically produces a list of potential recipients positioned according to the individuals criteria, such as the patients blood type, medical urgency, the particular organ needed, etc. After this step the coordinator of the program informs the surgeon...