「장기 등 이식에 관한 법률」과 장기기증 문화에 대한 검토

It is predicted that the demand for organ for the purpose of treatment that has been consistently rising due to the advancement of medicine,improvement in standards of living, and the prolongation of human life will increase steadily. The internal organ transplant, which represents advances in modern medicine, prolongs human’s life providing chances in life with patients. But there is an organ shortage crisis in Korea because an organ donation is not activated, which leads to the increasing number of deaths each year who has been waiting for organ transplants. Today, the organ transplant is classified into two separate categories with legal regulation, one from living-donor and the other after death. But the legal system of organ donation focuses on medical care involved with transplant operation, not placing emphasis on an organ donor which reflects the problems related to the organ donation in Korea. Moreover, there is no social respectful treatment for the donor and his families that appreciate the value of donation. The revitalization for organ donation should be set fundamentally from the perspective of donor, taking account of the noble resolution by donor and the family of the deceased who have altruistic mind that makes for those to perform good deedsfor patients, even though there is a significant lack of publicity about the necessity and value of organ donation by private organizations whose poor working conditions obstruct the activation of the donation. It is necessary to consider a proper way of social treatment for the donation rather than monetary incentives that might come in for criticism,albeit a portion of funeral expenses and compensation benefit from the government. Also, it would be possible to increase the number of interested donor if administrative procedures are streamlined, unlike current cumbersome registration processes, by introducing indication system on a driver’s license or health insurance card which reflects awillingness to donate organs to indicate one’s intention of donation after death or when declared brain dead. Consequently, the organ donation will be activated when both the rules and legal framework on the donation and the government, related organization action are improved revolving around the donor, interested donor and his families finding the donation worthwhile.