Media Release
Organ donor register not for research
6 February 2007
The Minister for Human Services, Senator Ian Campbell, today reassured the community that people on the Australian Organ Donor Register have not agreed to give up their bodies for scientific research. Senator Campbell said Medicare Australia, which manages the donor register, had received numerous calls of concern in response to media reports on allegations of misuse of body parts by a university. “People on the register consent to donating their organs and tissues after they die to save other lives,” Senator Campbell said. “I stress that their bodies are not used for any other purpose. “Organ donors certainly are not consenting to their bodies being donated for scientific research or for the manufacture of biological medical products.” Senator Campbell said the organ donor register lets people record their decision about becoming an organ and tissue donor for transplantation after their death. “Information recorded on the donor register can be accessed via a secure internet site by authorised personnel, who have signed confidentiality agreements covering the access and use of personal information,” Senator Campbell said. "The donor register is not for recording decisions about donating organ and tissue for other purposes such as scientific research.” Further information on the Australian Organ Donor Register can be found at the Medicare Australia website. Media contact: Rhiannon Keen on 02 6277 7200 or 0438 316 505