Ethical considerations on corneal donation and transplantation
10.12464/j.issn.1674-7445.2026071
- VernacularTitle:关于角膜捐献与移植的伦理思考
- Author:
Jingrong ZENG
1
;
Xiangqian HONG
1
;
Li YU
1
;
Kehan XIE
1
;
Wei CHI
1
;
Xiaoming YAO
1
Author Information
1. Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Shenzhen Eye Medical Center, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen Eye Bank, Shenzhen 518040, China.
- Publication Type:TransplantationEthics
- Keywords:
Corneal donation;
Corneal transplantation;
Fairness of allocation;
Xenotransplantation;
Spiritual incentive;
Economic incentive;
Right incentive;
Eye bank
- From:
Organ Transplantation
2026;17(6):1002-1008
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This article discusses ethical issues related to corneal donation and transplantation, including the boundaries of living donor donation, the fairness of allocation, the limits of incentives and the risks of xenotransplantation. Based on ethical principles, a dialectical analysis is conducted in conjunction with laws, regulations and clinical practice. Living corneal donation should distinguish between therapeutic eye removal (acceptable) and corneal normal but retinal and optic nerve blindness donation (strictly limited); the current decentralized distribution system has regional unfairness and a unified national mechanism needs to be established; in the incentive policies, spiritual incentives should be advocated, economic incentives should adhere to the bottom line of no compensation but can be supplemented with humanitarian assistance, and rights incentives require national regulations; xenotransplantation faces animal ethics, religious taboos and public health risks, and a national regulatory framework for xenotransplantation needs to be established. On the basis of adhering to ethical principles, a special situation living donor review mechanism, a unified national distribution system, incentive policy implementation details and a national regulatory framework for xenotransplantation should be constructed to promote the sustainable development of corneal donation.
