posthumous organ donation

This is a debate about posthumous organ donation. The limiting factor on the number of lives that can be saved through organ transplants is the supply of organs from donors, so that under the status quo people die through organ failure in situations where the technology exists to save their lives.
 
The medical need for human organs suitable for use as transplants far exceed the supply, and is growing. More favorable attitudes about organ donation would increase people's willingness to sign posthumous donation pledges.
 
accomplishments of modern medicine. Unfortunately, the ability to deliver this medical miracle is limited by a severe and steadily worsening shortage of organs [1]. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, as of 31 March 1996, more than 45 000 persons in the United States were on the national waiting list for transplantation [2]; this list grows by several hundred each month. It is estimated that eight of these people will die each day while waiting for transplantation [3]. Even more tragic is the realization that many of these deaths are preventable. Because only about 40% of potential cadaveric organ donors become actual donors, large numbers of life-saving organs are continuously being lost [4]. Clearly, something is wrong with our current organ procurement system.
 
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