ABSTRACT
Organ transplantation has given hope when formerly death was inevitable. But the replacement of vital organs is not merely giving the hope of extended life to those who would otherwise die. The recognized shortage of organs has led to several desperate measures, some of which raise matters of serious ethical concern. A fair and just allocation of transplant organs requires political and ethical imperatives for the efficient management of organ distribution which transcend national boundaries. Options for obtaining transplant organs can be considered under five categories: buying and selling, trading, taking, giving, and requesting. Another variation on the theme of organ selling is the proposal to encourage organ donation by giving in exchange credits or units to offset costs which may be incurred when a family member requires organs. Trading or exchanging organs exists on a rather ad hoc basis either among hospitals within a country or across national frontiers.
