Passing on a Kidney Transplant

Michael Fraase:

I thought it would be more difficult, or maybe more complicated, but it was neither. A transplant surgeon called from the University of Minnesota this morning to tell me they had a cadaver kidney for me (I?ve been on the transplant list for four-and-a-half years). ?I?ll pass,? I said in a quiet but steady voice. ?Call the next person on the list.? The physician wanted a reason. ?I?m still working out some ethical issues with the whole transplant business.? There. It was out before I had a chance to even think about censoring myself.