Almost all the literature on soliciting organs for donation cites the ever-expanding gap between supply and demand. Currently, 16 patients per day die while awaiting an organ for transplantation.1 Because this gloomy trend most likely will only get worse, and because the federal government is becoming more involved in efforts to reverse it, organ procurement organizations (OPOs) have become strident in their efforts to alter the only significant factor they can affect: the consent of families of possible organ donors.

Early research on organ donation described attitudes of health-care professionals2–,5 and the public at large6–,8 and issues associated with the ethics of the industry.9,10 The investigation of attitudes of organ donors’ families came later11,12 but excluded information on the attitudes of families that did not consent to donation.

Much is known today about persons who consent to organ donation;...

You do not currently have access to this content.