[Ethical and legal features of living donor kidney transplantation. Management and coordination of the process of living donation].

OBJECTIVES

Living donors for kidney transplantation have attracted interest from different points of view because medical issues are accompanied by other features involving ethical, legal and social issues. We analyze all aspects involved in living donation for kidney transplantation.

METHODS

We analyze: (1) ETHICAL ISSUES: requirements to become living donor, donor-receptor relationship, informed consent, donor's motivations, risk/benefit. (2) Legal issues: We review Spanish laws and Council of Europe's recommendations. (3) We also analyze how to coordinate the process in order to guarantee protection to donors.

RESULTS/

CONCLUSIONS

Living donor kidney transplantation is a growing therapeutic option. The process of living donation should comply with several legal and ethical requirements, and cooperation between different professionals to guarantee protection to donors.