Transplantation of human organs act: Act of transplantation – Time to act on the act! - Narrative review

Abstract

When the transplant act was brought in by the Central Government of India, the number of centers performing organ transplants and the number of patients undergoing transplants were much lesser compared to the present-day statistics. Knowing that the shortage of organs is the driving force behind illegal organ trade, strategies for legal and ethical expansion of the donor pool should be framed. Although Transplantation of Human Organs Act (Amended 2011 and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act Rules 2014) included swap transplantation and laid down certain rules for empowerment of deceased donor organ transplantation, certain changes are the need of the hour to expand the donor pool. Safeguarding the physicians' security and the recipient and donor rights is of prime concern in the process of organ transplantation. The present Act needs certain changes which clearly define the legal definition of brain death, legal issues involved in brain death, ethical and legal means of expansion of donor pool, and objective assessment of altruism.