Living Donor Ethics and Uterus Transplantation

This article provides an in-depth ethical analysis of living donor uterus transplantation, incorporating clinical, psychological, and qualitative study data into the discussion. Although the concept of living organ donors as patients in their own right has not always been present in the field of transplantation, this conceptu- alization informs the framework for living donor ethics that we apply to living uterus donation. This framework takes root in the principles of research ethics, which in-clude respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. It incorporates an analysis based on eight potential vulnerabilities of living donors: capacitational, juridic, deferential, social, medical, situational, allocational, and infrastructural. Finally, it recognizes that special relationships-such as that of the living donor advocate with the potential do-nor-require special responsibilities, including identifying vulnerabilities and engaging donors in a shared decision-making process. Directed and non-directed uterus donors require separate ethical analyses because their different relationships with recipients will influence the types of vulnerabilities, they are subject to as well as the potential benefits they may gain from donation.

Automated summary

This article conducts an in-depth ethical analysis of living donor uterus transplantation by integrating clinical, psychological, and qualitative study data. The concept of living organ donors as patients in their own right is applied to living uterus donation, grounded in the principles of research ethics and considering eight potential vulnerabilities of living donors. It also emphasizes the importance of special responsibilities in the relationship between living donor advocates and potential donors. Additionally, ethical analyses need to be conducted separately for directed and non-directed uterus donors due to their different relationships with recipients.