De Gezondheidsraad over transplantatieproblematiek, veel feiten en nog meer waarden

– This report offers both an extensive survey of all relevant facts, and a positive evaluation of the results of transplantations. Costs and scarcity of organs however are considerable complications. The report proposes therefore the introduction of a ‘no objection’ system for organ donation, which means that organs can be taken out of any clinically dead and suitable person, unless he has declared that he is opposed to the postmortal use of his organs. It is argued that a no-objection system is hardly compatible with the recently acquired rights of self-determination, and could lead also to non-voluntary organ donation (if for instance the written objection is lost). However, a strong argument in favour of this system, the reciprocity (if I am not willing to be a donor, I have no right to other people's organs), is amazingly not mentioned in the report.

As far as living donors are concerned, the report is very strict in declining any kind of compensation for a living donor. The report is criticized for its negligence in discussing the real issue in transplantations; the question whether this type of treatment does or does not imply the use of human beings as means to an end.