This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (150)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Diane L. Manninen, PhD; Roger W. Evans, PhD

JAMA. 1985;253(21):3111-3115.

Abstract
Organ transplantation has been the subject of much attention; unfortunately, relatively little has been published about public attitudes toward organ donation. To better document public perceptions on organ donation, a telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,056 respondents was conducted. We found that nearly 94% of the population had heard about organ transplantation, but only 19% of these people carried donor cards. The results indicated that people are somewhat more likely to donate the organs of a relative who had just died (53%) than they are to donate their own organs (50%). People were most likely to donate kidneys (50%) and least likely to donate skin (40%). Most respondents (58%) felt that next of kin should not be able to override a person's desire to donate organs as signified by an organ donor card. Few people (7%) supported the concept of presumed consent. We conclude that while the public is supportive of organ transplantation, it is not overly enthusiastic about organ donation. Awareness of this paradox on behalf of the public may actually facilitate organ donation.

(JAMA 1985;253:3111-3115)

Author Affiliations
From the Health and Population Study Center, Battelle Human Affairs Research Centers, Seattle.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Battelle Human Affairs Research Centers, 4000 NE 41st St, Seattle, WA 98105 (Dr Evans).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

The UK Human Tissue Act and consent: surrendering a fundamental principle to transplantation needs?
Bell
J. Med. Ethics 2006;32:283-286.
FULL TEXT  

Socio-personal profile of teenagers opposed to organ donation
Conesa et al.
Nephrol Dial Transplant 2004;19:1269-1275.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Brain death
Elliot
Trauma 2003;5:23-42.
ABSTRACT  

Organ Donors and Nondonors: An American Dilemma
Peters et al.
Arch Intern Med 1996;156:2419-2424.
ABSTRACT  

Financial Incentives for Organ Procurement: Ethical Aspects of Future Contracts for Cadaveric Donors
Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs et al.
Arch Intern Med 1995;155:581-589.
ABSTRACT  

Mandated Choice: A Plan to Increase Public Commitment to Organ Donation
Spital
JAMA 1995;273:504-506.
ABSTRACT  

Strategies for Cadaveric Organ Procurement: Mandated Choice and Presumed Consent
Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, American et al.
JAMA 1994;272:809-812.
ABSTRACT  

The Impact of State Legislation on Eye Banking
Farge et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 1994;112:180-185.
ABSTRACT  

Improving the Current System for Supplying Organs for Transplantation
Horton and Horton
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law 1993;18:175-188.
ABSTRACT  

Mandated Choice: The Preferred Solution to the Organ Shortage?
Spital
Arch Intern Med 1992;152:2421-2424.
ABSTRACT  

Ethical Considerations in Living Organ Donation and a New Approach: An Advance-Directive Organ Registry
Kleinman and Lowy
Arch Intern Med 1992;152:1484-1488.
ABSTRACT  

The Potential Supply of Organ Donors: An Assessment of the Efficiency of Organ Procurement Efforts in the United States
Evans et al.
JAMA 1992;267:239-246.
ABSTRACT  

Life or Death: The Issue of Payment in Cadaveric Organ Donation
Peters
JAMA 1991;265:1302-1305.
ABSTRACT  

Trauma Registries and Organ Transplantation
Evans
JAMA 1990;263:1913-1914.
ABSTRACT  

A Review of Public Policies to Procure and Distribute Kidneys for Transplantation
Singer
Arch Intern Med 1990;150:523-527.
ABSTRACT  

Analytic Reviews : Organ Procurement and Brain Death in Trauma Patients
Mackersie
J Intensive Care Med 1989;4:137-148.
ABSTRACT  

Shifting Responsibilities in Organ Procurement: A Plan for Routine Referral
Prottas
JAMA 1988;260:832-833.
ABSTRACT  

Report of the Organ Transplant Panel: Corneal Transplantation
Council on Scientific Affairs et al.
JAMA 1988;259:719-722.
ABSTRACT  

Donor Availability as the Primary Determinant of the Future of Heart Transplantation
Evans et al.
JAMA 1986;255:1892-1898.
ABSTRACT  

Organ Donation
Pichert
The Diabetes Educator 1986;12:10-11.