Protecting Autonomy in Organ Procurement Procedures: Some Overlooked Issues

Most states give individuals paramount authority to decide whether their bodies shall be made available after death for various medical uses including organ transplantation. Yet, current procurement policy disregards this legal right, and American case law has been indecisive on whose wishes take precedence in conflict between the decedent and surviving family. A revised policy is proposed to ensure the rights of registered donors while more adequately protecting the autonomy of those with opposing wishes.

Author(s): David A. Peters

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Volume 64, Issue 2 (pages 241–270)
Published in 1986