Ethics Researcher to Address Organ Donation and Transplantation Controversies

Top Quote What are ethics and how do they impact organ donation and transplantation? How young is too young to be a living donor? What's wrong with "transplant tourism"? Michael Campbell will answer these questions and more. End Quote
  • (1888PressRelease) March 04, 2014 - In Canada, there is a greater need for organs and tissue than what is currently available for transplantation, according to the Trillium Gift of Life Network Website. Possible reasons for this will be discussed on March 16 in Classroom B of the Juravinski Innovation Tower at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 50 Charlton Ave. East.

    Hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation of Canada, Ethics Researcher Michael Campbell will give a presentation starting at 2pm. He will answer questions about the ethical considerations involved in organ donation and transplantation.

    - Should Ontario adopt a Presumed Consent (Opt-out) model to increase kidney donation?
    - Should we support public solicitation for kidneys (e.g. matching websites and advertisements)?
    - How should kidneys from deceased donors and anonymous living donors be allocated? How can we balance fairness to everyone on the wait list while maximizing benefits to individual recipients?
    - Should Ontarians be allowed to buy and sell kidneys?
    - Is it right to travel to another country to receive a transplant sooner?

    "When you or a loved one is waiting for a kidney transplant, understanding the ethical policies and procedures of a particular medical institution can be overwhelming," says Jeff Robertson, Executive Director of the PKD Foundation of Canada (PKDFOC).

    "Through Mr. Campbell's experience as a Sr. Fellow at University Health Network, he will provide those in attendance with a better understanding of why certain policies are in place, why some are not and what can be done to improve the system as a whole."

    Michael Campbell MHSc, BA joined the PKDFOC's Board of Directors in January 2012. He has worked in the University Health Network Bioethics Program as a Senior Fellow in Organ Donation and Transplantation Ethics. He completed a Masters of Health Science degree and a Bioethics Fellowship at the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. His research interests included ethical issues in the selection of living organ donors and the allocation of organs from anonymous living donors.

    This presentation is part of a series of two-hour informational support meetings hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada. They are open to the public, free of charge. Registration is not required. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Local street parking (free) and hospital parking (payment required) is available. For details, call toll free 1-877-410-1741.

    The PKDFOC, founded in 1993, is the only national organization solely dedicated to fighting PKD through research, education, advocacy, patient support and public awareness. Our goal is to advance the discovery and delivery of treatments and a cure for PKD.

    PKD is a genetic disorder in which clusters of cysts, noncancerous sacs containing water-like fluid, primarily develop within the kidneys. The disease also can cause cysts to develop in the liver and other organs. High blood pressure and kidney failure are common problems for people with PKD. More information is available on the PKDFOC website.

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