Doctors push conversation about HIV-positive organ donations

While HIV-positive people can receive organ donations, they can’t be donors. The federal law dates back to the ’80s when HIV was emerging and still considered a death sentence.

But local doctors are calling for a review of the law, suggesting HIV-positive people be allowed to donate organs to HIV-positive patients in need.
WHYY’s Carolyn Beeler spoke with doctors in the region who support the study of HIV-positive organ donations and the effects a different strain could have on the organ recipient. Dr. Kathleen Squires, head of the infectious disease division at Jefferson Medical College and chair of the HIV Medicine Association said HIV patients who receive liver and kidney donations have had similar outcomes as non-HIV patients.