장기 등 이식에 관한 법률의 내용 및 시행 상의 문제점에 관한 학제간 연구*

Purpose: This study was done to develop a guideline on legal, ethical and philosophical grounds for whole procedure of organ transplantation, which is a life-saving treatment and improvement of the quality of life.

Methods: A survey questionnaire was sent to surgeons and nursing coordinators to get basic information about current situation of transplantation in 66 centers. 112 responded from 53 centers. The data were analyzed using SAS-program by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. After this survey, series of discussion ethical and philosophical considerations were followed.

Results: This study investigated the current situation of organ transplantation in Korea and discussed some problematic points in <Law of Transplantation of Human Organs>. We suggest organ transplantation from brain death donors should be more activated, but the rigor of current law has hindered it. The procedure of brain death determination, the role and construction of the brain death committee, and the procedure of "informed consent" should be improved. The case of Germany and U.S.A may be good example for the improvement. Human tissue transplantation has its own problems, and should be considered as a part of transplantation.