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In Reply: We thank Dr Bramstedt for making us aware of this case. It is substantially different from ours, however, as there was prior knowledge of the patient's wishes concerning organ donation. We believe that existence of this case provides support for the importance of public discourse on the issue and development of a public policy embedded in society's values. Such a policy could facilitate donation of organs for transplant in accordance with patients' wishes without involvement of the courts.

For a list of the members of the Writing Committee, please see the original article (JAMA. 2004;291:728-731).—ED.

The Writing Committee of the UCLA Medical Center Ethics Committee and UCLA Renal Transplant Program

Letters Section Editor: Stephen J. Lurie, MD, PhD, Senior Editor.

JAMA. 2004;291:2078.