The United Network for Organ Sharing came out this week and stated the obvious — that Duke University violated numerous UNOS regulations when it gave not one, but two sets of organs to Jesica Santillan.
First, of course, Santillan was in the United States illegally and UNOS policie are quite clear — illegal immigrants are not eligible for organ transplants.
Second, patients must appear on a special eligibility list before they can receive organs. Santillan was not on that eligibility list. Organs are at times given to individuals not on the special eligibility list when there is a risk that the organs will not find a donor, but in the Santillan case it is clear that UNOS policies were not followed.
UNOS Vice President Russell Wiesner said of the Santillan debacle,
We have an obligation to maintain the trust of those who are considering making the decision to be organ donors, so that they and their loved ones feel confident about that important decision. The national transplant system relies on public trust.
But UNOS continues to betray that trust — Duke University Hospial will almost certainly face no official repercussions from UNOS despite the problems with Santillan’s transplants.
Which begs the question of how exactly Americans are served by UNOS’ continued monopoly on donated organs.