How Donated Organs are Allocated
With over 120,000 individuals in the United States currently awaiting organ transplants, the process of allocating donated organs is of utmost importance. To ensure a fair and ethical distribution, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) manages a national transplant waiting list and matches donors with recipients.
Allocation begins by entering the donor’s height, weight, blood type, and the hospital’s zip code into the UNOS system. This comprehensive database allows for efficient matching between donors and potential recipients.
Once a suitable match is identified, surgeons perform the organ retrieval procedure in a designated operating room at the donor’s hospital. The extracted organs are then transported to transplant hospitals where waiting candidates are prepared for surgery.
UNOS employs a national computer system that considers various factors in the allocation process. These factors include blood and tissue typing, organ size, urgency, waiting time, and geographic location. By taking all these elements into account, the system ensures a fair and equitable distribution of available organs.
Fairness of the UNOS System for Allocation
A Lawsuit Challenges the Fairness of the UNOS System
In July 2018, a group of six patients filed a lawsuit against UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, claiming that the organ allocation system was both illegal and inequitable. The lawsuit highlighted the disparities in wait times and demand for organ transplants across different regions.
Regional Disparities in Organ Transplants
It is well-known that certain regions, such as New York and California, face longer wait times and higher demand for organ transplants compared to regions in the Midwest and South. This discrepancy can be attributed to the higher rates of donor registration in the latter regions. However, this means that individuals in areas with higher demand may face greater challenges in receiving life-saving organs.
A Case in Point: Steve Jobs’ Liver Transplant
Steve Jobs, the revered founder of Apple, faced a similar situation when he needed a liver transplant. To increase his chances of receiving a liver sooner, Jobs purchased a home in Memphis, Tennessee, and got on the waiting list there. This decision was made because the waiting list in Tennessee was shorter than the one in California, where he previously resided. While this move was within the bounds of the law, it highlights the disparity faced by individuals who lack the financial means to relocate and improve their odds of getting a transplant.
UNOS Adopts a New Policy
The lawsuit against UNOS is still ongoing. However, in May 2019, UNOS implemented a new policy regarding liver donations. Under this policy, available livers are prioritized for the sickest patients living within a 500-mile radius of the deceased donor. This change aims to address some of the concerns regarding fairness in organ allocation.