AST Endorses Istanbul Declaration to End Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism

AST Endorses Istanbul Declaration to End Organ Trafficking and Transplant
Tourism
American Society of Transplantation Admonishes Citizens of Rich Nations To End
Reliance on Donors in Less Affluent Nations

MT. LAUREL, N.J., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of
Transplantation (AST) endorses The Declaration of Istanbul on Organ
Trafficking and Transplant Tourism. The Declaration of Istanbul affirms the
principles and practices adopted on May 2, 2008, at an International Summit of
more than 150 healthcare professionals, officials, scientists, ethicists and
legal scholars from 78 countries and 20 international organizations. Among the
members of the Steering Committee are AST members Francis L. Delmonico, M.D.,
William Harmon, M.D., and Mohamed H. Sayegh, M.D. Dr. Harmon attended the
International Summit on Transplant Tourism and Organ Trafficking in May as the
AST's representative.
The Declaration aims to combat organ commercialism and to preserve the
protection and safety of living organ donors. The message underlying the
creation of the Declaration is that the success of transplantation as a
life-saving treatment does not require-nor justify-victimizing the world's
poor as the source of organs. The Declaration calls for countries to implement
programs that will prevent organ failure and to meet the organ needs of its
citizens from within its own population.
AST President Barbara Murphy, M.D., stated, "The AST condemns all
unethical practices to secure organ donations and strongly encourages
countries to adopt practices that ensure dignity and justice in the practice
of organ donation."
The Scope of the Problem
With the increasing use of the Internet and the willingness of patients in
rich countries to travel and purchase organs, organ trafficking and transplant
tourism have become global problems. Vulnerable and marginalized populations
such as the poor, illiterate, prisoners, and political refugees in
impoverished countries have been enlisted as donors with the promise of
compensation, and sometimes against their will.
The Declaration of Istanbul condemns this practice and outlines a number
of steps that can help increase organ donation and ensure the protection and
safety of living donors.
About AST
The AST is an organization of transplant professionals dedicated to
research, education, advocacy and patient care in transplantation science and
medicine. The society comprises more than 2,800 transplant physicians,
surgeons, scientists and allied health professionals. For more information
about AST visit www.a-s-t.org.
Contact: Beth Drost
215.884.6499
SOURCE The American Society of Transplantation

Beth Drost for The American Society of Transplantation, +1-215-884-6499