Bioethics and organ donation in Brazil: ethical aspects in approaching the potential donor’s family

Abstract

This article is a theoretical reflection aiming at identifying the ethical issues that might influence on family’s consent rates regarding organ donation. The lack of clarification during the process of obtaining consent from the family was identified as the main ethical issue and information on brain death diagnosis, corpse’s appearance and disfigurement were identified as deficient. It was found that other ethical issues may also influence this process, such as respect for the moment lived by family member, to his beliefs and values, as well as interviewer’s reception and availability, in addition to the assurance that the family has chosen the most appropriate alternative for the situation. Therefore, one emphasizes the importance of health professionals trained to approach the family, aiming, thus, at greater acceptance and an assistance guided by ethics.