¹Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Correspondence: A P Monaco, The Transplant Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 110 Francis Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. E-mail: amonaco@caregroup.harvard.edu

Abstract

Strategies to expand the pool of solid organs for transplantation have had only limited success. Waiting times exceeding 5 years and/or waiting mortality are not uncommon. A system of financial rewards for living and deceased organ donation is proposed. The reward program would be administered by the federal government. Donors or beneficiaries would receive a fixed financial reward, similar to the payout of an insurance policy, from a federal agency. Such a system would be consistent with similar financial rewards given in our society to recognize instances of personal self-sacrifice and risk taking performed for the benefit of others.