La donazione d'organi 'samaritana': problemi etico-deontologici e giuridici

The so called “Samaritan donation” is meant as non-directed altruistic donation, where the donor does not choose the recipient. It’s an uncommon practice in Italy, as in many over other countries. An critical hesitation to develop these type of transplantation programs is the fear of incentivize the recruitment of disadvantaged people to provide organs for paying recipients; another are doubts related to motivations (possible psychiatric or psychological illness). All Sa- maritan donors should be always carefully assessed by an independent Authority, to make sure the donor knows and understands what is involved, is not under any pressure to donate and is giving consent freely and voluntarily. Samaritan donation should not be intended as an alterna- tive to after-death-donation, but its exceptionality should contribute toward increasing aware- ness of people and the amount of after-death-donations.