ABSTRACT
In the early period of kidney transplantation, living donors and recipients were genetically related. Kidneys from genetically unrelated but emotionally motivated donors (LURD), such as spouses, close relatives, common law partners, close friends and well-motivated voluntary donors were discouraged because of relatively poor results and the fear of commercialization. Now, however, such donors are commonly used, and excellent short-and longterm results have been achieved.4,5 Nevertheless, ABO incompatibility and other problems of histocompatibility, such as poor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match and/or positive cross-matches, make some donations unacceptable under current standards of care.
