ETHICAL ISSUES IN ORGAN TRANSPLANTS FOR PATIENTS INFECTED WITH HIV
The University of North Florida Center for Ethics, Public Policy, and the Professions will sponsor a symposium, Tuesday March 26 at 7p.m. in the University Center, Rm 1058, on organ transplants for individuals infected with HIV. Featured participants are two Mayo Clinic physicians: Dr. Gavin Divertie, Chair of Mayo's Ethics Committee, and Dr. Chris Hughes of the Mayo's Department of Transplantation. The event will be moderated by Ethics Center Director Dr. Andrew Buchwalter. Commentary will be provided by Dr. Assya Pascalev, the Center's Associate Director.
The symposium will explore both medical and ethical issues involved in organ transplants, especially liver transplants, for individuals infected with HIV.
Medically, attention will be given to the question of whether such transplants can be safe for individuals with weakened immune systems, as HIV patients are, given that transplant patient must be given medication that suppress the body's attempts to reject new organs. Might not such mediation only exacerbate problems of HIV infected patients?
Ethically, panelists will address the question of whether such transplants are justified given not only the risks but the assumed lower life-expectancy of individuals with HIV. Under such conditions is it right to transplant organs whose availability remain scarce? On the other hand, might not transplants for HIV patients be all the more warranted given the special degree to which such individuals suffer from hepatitis?The symposium is free and open to the public. For further information, contact the Center at 620-1330.