Nondirected living kidney donation. Is Australia ready?

Abstract

Background: The Renal Transplant Advisory Committee has recently approved nondirected kidney donation. If ratified at state level, it will allow volunteers to anonymously donate a kidney to any patient on the transplant waiting list. General practitioners, as well as more specialised services, may be approached by patients wishing to make such donations.

Objective: This article summarises the scant literature on nondirected donation.

Discussion: Contrary to commonly held beliefs, this type of donor may not necessarily exhibit psychopathology, and this form of donation may raise fewer ethical concerns than are raised by living related donors.