NHMRC Ethical Guidelines

NHMRC Ethical Guidelines for organ transplantation from deceased donors

Updated publication 2025 - access here

The Ethical Guidelines for Cell, Tissue and Organ Donation and Transplantation in Australia provide a framework to support ethical practice and inform decision-making by all those involved in Australia’s donation and transplantation system.

Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism

TSANZ strongly endorses The Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism that condemns trafficking of organs including the use of organs from executed prisoners. The TSANZ condemns the practice of purchasing a Transplant under any circumstances. Consistent with this, TSANZ also condemns the practice of Australian or New Zealand patients travelling abroad with the intention of purchasing an organ transplant.

It is a fundamental principle for the TSANZ that organs and tissues are given freely and without coercion and this excludes any executed prisoner from being a donor

The TSANZ, supports the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO), to curtail the use of organs from executed prisoners in all countries around the world.

WHO Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue and Organ Transplantation

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