Altruism and Coercion: Should Children Serve as Kidney Donors?

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Abstract
Nowhere in medicine does the concept of altruism come into sharper focus than in the area of kidney donation: the donors face considerable pain and a small but measurable risk. In this issue of the Journal, Fost advocates that we extend the opportunity to perform this altruistic act to children who are not identical twins, children as young as seven years of age. This suggestion, which will concern many, challenges our present approach on several grounds.First of all, Fost argues that a precedent has been established for allowing children to serve as donors in cases involving identical twins, . . .

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