Spain leads world in organ donations: minister

A New York assemblyman wants NY to adopt a presumed consent law for organ donation.  The legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Westchester Democrat, is in two parts: the first step would end the right of the next of kin to challenge the decisions of their dead or dying relatives to donate their organs.

Millions of people suffer from kidney disease, but in 2007 there were just 64,606 kidney-transplant operations in the entire world. Today in the WSJ I discuss innovative solutions to the worldwide shortage of transplant organs from places like  Iran, India, Singapore, Israel and elsewhere.  One interesting bit I haven't blogged about before is routine removal of organs without the donor's or their families consent.

I spoke recently at the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America on using incentives to increase organ donation.  Also speaking was Nancy Scheper-Hughes, the courageous UC Berkeley detective/anthropologist responsible for busting international rings of organ traffickers.

By John Eastman:In a unique approach, the State of Israel has put into plan a system that would lend transplant priority to patients who have agreed to donate their organs. It is thought that this is the first country in the world to incorporate "nonmedical" criteria into the priority system, although medical officials convey that medical necessity would still be the first priority. Dr. Jacob Lavee, a cardiothoracic surgeon, initialed the program.

Spanish scientists on Tuesday presented a new technique to create bioartifical organs for transplant using stem cells which they said will vastly reduce the risk of rejection of the donated organ.The technique involves "stripping" a donated heart, liver or other organ which is deemed unsuitable for donation of their cells, leaving just a "scaffold", Francisco Fernandez-Aviles, chief cardiologist at Madrid's Gregorio Maranon hospital told a news conference.

Egypt's parliament voted by an overwhelming majority on Saturday to regulate organ transplants in a bid to curb illegal trafficking and tourism over the issue.The law bans commercial trade in organs as well as transplants between Egyptians and foreigners, except in cases of husband and wife.Operations in government hospitals are to be financed by the state.According to the United Nations, hundreds of poor Egyptians sell their kidneys and livers every year to buy food or pay off debts.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez shared top spot after three rounds of the Ballantine's Championship as world number one Lee Westwood moved to within three shots of the lead.Westwood needs a top-five finish at the $3.2 million event in South Korea to stop Germany's Martin Kaymer overtaking him as the world's top golfer and carded two birdies on the back nine to complete his storm-delayed third round.The Englishman lay tied fifth on seven under par, three shots back from joint leaders Jimenez, Welshman Rhys Davies and Sweden's Alexander Noren.