Across eight independent surveys, both the American public and transplant professionals have consistently supported compensating living kidney donors.

Medical Community and Public Health

American Medical Association (AMA) H-370.958
Supports evaluating regulated incentives to safely increase living kidney donation.

American Society of Transplantation (AST) & American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)
Concluded there is “no a priori ethical reason” not to test regulated donor compensation distinct from illegal organ markets.

Global American Journal of Kidney Diseases Study: About 60% of transplant physicians and surgeons support incentives; large majorities support removing financial disincentives like lost wages and travel costs

Public Opinion

Multiple national surveys over three decades show majority support for regulated compensation of kidney donors:

• Johns Hopkins (2019) – Majority public support
• JAMA Surgery (2016) – Voters approve regulated donor compensation
• Reuters Poll (2012) – National majority support
• American Journal of Transplantation (2006) – Support across race, income, and ethnicity
• UNOS/NKF Ethics Committee (1993) – Early ethical endorsement of removing financial barriers

Bottom Line

✅ Medical societies support research into donor incentives
✅ National patient organizations support compensation
✅ American voters support a regulated compensation model