Organ Donation and Transplantation Controversies to be Discussed by Ethics Researcher

Hamilton, Canada, March 03, 2014 --(PR.com)-- In Canada, a greater need for organs and tissue exists than the number currently available for transplantation, according to the Trillium Gift of Life Network Website. Possible reasons for this will be discussed on March 16 in Classroom B of the Juravinski Innovation Tower at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, 50 Charlton Ave. East.

Hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation of Canada, Ethics Researcher Michael Campbell will give a presentation starting at 2pm. He will answer questions about the ethical considerations involved in organ donation and transplantation, such as: Should we support public solicitation for kidneys (i.e. donor-recipient matching websites and "organ wanted" ads)?

"Most people should already be aware that in order to 'give the gift of life,' signing the donor card or the back of your driver's license is not enough," says Hamilton Chapter Coordinator, Shiona Mackenzie-Morrison. "Registration as an organ donor is now required."

"Trillium Gift of Life Network statistics tell us that more than 85% of Ontario residents claim to be in favour of organ donation. However less than 25% have registered their consent to donate. It is so easy to register now that one wonders what could be getting in the way. Ethical considerations may be one of the hurdles," she added.

"When you or a loved one is waiting for a kidney transplant, understanding the ethical policies and procedures of a particular medical institution can be overwhelming," says Jeff Robertson, Executive Director of the PKD Foundation of Canada (PKDFOC).

"Through Mr. Campbell's experience as a Sr. Fellow at University Health Network, he will provide those in attendance with a better understanding of why certain policies are in place, why some are not and what can be done to improve the system as a whole."

Michael Campbell MHSc, BA joined the PKD Foundation of Canada's Board of Directors in January 2012. He has worked in the University Health Network Bioethics Program as a Senior Fellow in Organ Donation and Transplantation Ethics. He completed a Masters of Health Science degree and a Bioethics Fellowship at the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. His research interests included ethical issues in the selection of living organ donors and the allocation of organs from anonymous living donors.

This presentation is part of a series of two-hour informational support meetings hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada. They are open to the public, free of charge. Registration is not required. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Local street parking (free) and hospital parking (payment required) is available.

More information is available on the PKDFOC website, or contact the Hamilton Chapter.

The PKD Foundation of Canada is a grassroots charity founded in 1993. The PKDFOC is the only national organization solely dedicated to fighting PKD through research, education, advocacy, support and awareness. Our goal is to discover and deliver treatments and a cure for PKD.