The Organ Donor Process

"The Organ Donor Process: A Diverse and Global Reward in Recognition of Life Support" approaches the cluster of issues arising from the practices surrounding and the policies guiding the donation of organs. It explores, discusses, and examines the ramifications of those issues both for individuals and for institutions. Author Jared E. Edison summarizes the contours of the topic, reviews the pertinent questions for research, states his methods for gathering data, reviews the pertinent literature, and outlines his findings and conclusions. Finally, he proposes recommendations to guide developments in the field.

Several appendices in "The Organ Donor Process" provide additional support for study of the topic: an annotated bibliography offers summaries and critiques of pertinent works, and a section of recommended resources suggests options for further reading.

The influences on individuals and organizations of the research, practices, policies, regulations, and societal norms related to organ donations raise significant issues for many, both for personal and for societal reasons. If you count yourself as part of this group, then "The Organ Donor Process" will serve as a resource and a guide for thinking critically about the issues that arise when one contemplates the donation of organs for the benefit of others.