Kidney Donors — The Myth of Informed Consent

Three systems are operative in the selection of a living, genetically related, kidney donor: the self-selection of the volunteers, the medical team selection for the best match, and a family system that operates chiefly by excluding certain members from participation. Only the medical team pays attention to the ethical guidelines for organ transplantation adopted by the American Medical Association. The decision making of the volunteers follows other identifiable principles.