Adding value? EU governance of organ donation and transplantation

Abstract

This article examines recent developments in EU governance of organ donation and transplantation, focusing on an analysis of the Commission's action plan and the proposed Directive. While the aims of the plan are laudable, a number of concerns remain with respect to the timetable for the plan and the adoption of the Directive, as well as the management of ethical and risk issues. In the final analysis, the added value of EU governance initiatives in the field is likely to be measured by the extent to which they successfully address the ongoing problem of organ shortage in Member States.