Surgeon, Professor to Discuss Potential Incentive Program for Live-Organ Donations Friday

Arthur Matas

Arthur Matas

Faced with a nationwide shortage of organ donations, kidney transplant surgeon and University of Minnesota Medical Center Professor Arthur Matas and University of St. Thomas Theology Professor Paul Wojda will join the University of St. Thomas Murphy Institute on Friday, Jan. 31, to discuss the medical, ethical and legal considerations for a potential incentive program for living-organ donations.

Paul Wojda

Paul Wojda

The conversation – part of the Institute’s Hot Topics: Cool Talk debate series – will take place at 12:30 p.m. in room 235 of the School of Law building on the university’s Minneapolis campus.

It is free and open to the public, with complimentary lunch provided to those who register online in advance. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit has been applied for.

Through the discussion, Matas and Wojda will consider whether a legal incentive program would increase live organ donations, stave off the growing trade in organs from the developing world, exploit the poor, or have an effect on altruism. Rene Bowser, associate professor and health law expert at the School of Law, will moderate the program.

Rene Bowser

Rene Bowser

The Hot Topics: Cool Talk series explores Catholic positions and other perspectives on provocative issues of law and public policy. Upcoming topics include disability law and deinstitutionalization, and progressive politics and religious freedom. The schedule for the entire series can be found on the Murphy Institute’s website.