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Kidney Transplant Denial: Ethics or Face Saving Tactic

Posted by Kari / June 7, 2007

kidneys.jpgA Toronto woman is being denied a kidney transplant from a healthy (physically and psychologically), and more importantly, willing Australian man. After weeks of tests to confirm his compatibility, as well as meeting with forensic psychologists to ensure he isn't being coerced or monetarily motivated, Ashwyn Falkingham has returned home with both his kidneys intact and in their usual place. Sandi Sabloff, suffering from chronic kidney failure, is left asking why.

Apparently, the hospital handling the case originally approved Falkingham, but after receiving a call from the man's mother and step-father, Toronto General informed him the donation will not proceed. There are many questions being asked: Does Falkingham's involvement with a religious sect (the Jesus Christians, who use organ donation as proof of their ultimate devotion to Jesus' teachings) mean he's been brain washed? Does the fact that Sabloff found the donor online make the partnership invalid? A live organ transplant is more risky than receiving an organ from someone deceased (but is supported by the Kidney Foundation of Canada); is that why the procedure has been cancelled?

I can't help but think I'm missing some facts. That's possibly even the case, either through my own fault, or because we're not being told the whole story. I'm not sure what kind of confidentiality agreement there is between donors, recipients, hospitals, etc. My opinion is this: If a grown man has decided to donate an organ (whatever his motivation, as long as it's his own choice), why shouldn't he be allowed to do it? I wonder if the hospital chose not to be affiliated with the Jesus Christians? And if that's the case, is it ethical to deny a transplant in order to prevent the risk of religious retaliation?

Discussion

7 Comments

Martin / June 7, 2007 at 01:11 pm
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If a grown man wants to donate his kidney to a stranger, he can. however, he doesn't get to pick the recipient. The rules we have now are in place to ensure that no financial consideration exists between donor and recipient.

This is the reason this gentleman came to Canada. Hospitals in Australia also refused to go through with a stranger transplant, who he also met online. If he really wants to donate a kidney, nothing is stopping him. It's just that the kidney will go to the person on the waiting list who needs it most, not the one with the best story on a website.
Jane / June 7, 2007 at 01:37 pm
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Toronto General Hospital is the only hospital in Canada who has done altruistic organ transplants. Out of the 4 altruistic donations that I know of only one was non-directed. Some people want to know to whom they are donating and should have the right to do so. We should be trying to encourage as many people as possible to come forward and donate. This about saving lives. Dialysis is not a quality life situation for kidney patients but keeps them alive until they can get a transplant. In the case of Sandi and Ash. Ash was approved but the hospital denied the transplant based on a trumped up decision. They bowed to pressure of parents trying to control the decision of an adult son who wants to do a good thing.
Funny - if Ash had enlisted to go into the armed forces where he could be sent to war and kill or be killed everyone would be OK with this. If the parents called the recruiting office to say they didn't want him to enlist because he was incapable of making his own decisions they would be told he is an adult and he can decide for himself. What is wrong with our thinking? Why are we surprised when people want to do something good?
Ashwyn Falkingham / June 17, 2007 at 11:29 pm
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Hi, I am the guy referred to in this story. The Jesus Christians do NOT believe that donating a kindey is "proof of ultimate devotion to Jesus' teachings", despite how many times that mantra may have been repeated by newspaper reporters in recent times!

What we do believe is that showing love for God and for your neighbour IS Jesus' teaching, and donating a kidney is one way to do that.

I agree with Jane's post above. Donors should have the right to choose who they donate to, but even if they don't, we need to seriously question the type of thinking that reads evil in something as innocent as trying to donate a kindey.
Tina / July 7, 2007 at 01:10 am
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I watched the story and think if they want to be that die hard in their faith, they should offer all their organs, and die for Christ!
Paul Sheringham / June 6, 2008 at 11:09 pm
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I have just watched the story on ABC. I think the person who showed the most genorisity of spirit in this whole episode was Mr. Falkingham's mother. I can't help but consider that Mr. Falkingham's attitude in regard to his mother was somewhat selfish. Some of us would give anything to see their mother again. If she was alive I would not take her love for granted and give her the cold shoulder.
Scott / July 9, 2008 at 08:17 am
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Odd how they never comtemplate the ethics of preventing this woman from getting this kidney. I understand the desire to prevent organs from having a price, but if price we pay to keep it all "volunteer" is that a whole bunch of people die for want of an organ I think we are missing the big picture here.
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