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. 2023 Feb 8;8(4):898-906.
doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.01.014. eCollection 2023 Apr.

A Survey Study to Examine Willingness to Travel for Transplantation and Consider Commercial Transplantation Among a Multiethnic Cohort of Canadians

Jagbir Gill  1   2   3 , Stephanie Clark  4 , Gurleen Gill  2 , John Gill  1   2   3 , Chris Richardson  3
Affiliations

A Survey Study to Examine Willingness to Travel for Transplantation and Consider Commercial Transplantation Among a Multiethnic Cohort of Canadians

Jagbir Gill et al. Kidney Int Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: Travel for transplantation is the movement of organs, donors, recipients, or transplant professionals across jurisdictional borders for transplantation purposes and is considered transplant tourism if transplant commercialism is involved. Little is known about the willingness of patients at risk for transplant tourism to engage in this practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of patients with end-stage renal disease was conducted in Canada to determine interest in travel for transplantation and transplant tourism, characterize patients according to their willingness to consider transplant tourism, and identify factors to deter willingness to consider transplant tourism. Surveys were conducted face-to-face and in multiple languages.

Results: Among the 708 patients surveyed, 418 (59%) reported a willingness to travel outside of Canada for transplantation, with 24% reporting a strong willingness. One hundred sixty-one (23%) reported a willingness to travel and purchase a kidney overseas. On multivariate analysis, male sex, younger age, and Pacific Islander ethnicity were associated with higher odds of willingness to travel for transplant, whereas male sex, annual income greater than $100,000, and Asian and Middle Eastern ethnicity were associated with higher odds of willing to travel to purchase a kidney. Willingness reduced when respondents were informed of medical risks and legal implications related to travel for transplantation. Financial and ethical considerations were less effective at reducing willingness to travel for transplantation.

Conclusion: There was a high level of interest in travel for transplantation and transplant tourism. Legal consequences and education on medical risks of transplant tourism may be effective deterrent strategies.

Keywords: ethics; transplant tourism; travel for transplantation.

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Figures

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Graphical abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
Willingness to travel for transplantation by destination country.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Variations in willingness to travel for transplantation and transplant tourism by key demographic categories.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Clustering of patients by willingness to travel for transplantation under various circumstances.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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