Being a living organ donor: A study on women's experiences

Organ transplantation has marked a significant milestone in the evolution of medical practices, profoundly influencing our understanding of the human body throughout the 20th century and contributing to an extensive societal initiative. While existing literature predominantly addresses living organ transplantation from a medical standpoint, this study delves into the social and ethical dimensions of these practices, with a specific focus on their correlation with gender. The study investigates the impact of becoming a living organ donor on social expectations and individual autonomy, emphasizing the experiences of women. Through a descriptive analysis, the research elucidates women's voluntary organ donation experiences, emphasizing themes such as autonomy, family relationships, motherhood, surgery experiences, body perception, self-identity, and caregiving. Employing a qualitative research method and a phenomenological design, the study gathered data through in-depth interviews with 18 female organ donors aged between 18 and 55, purposefully selected to provide diverse perspectives. Through the lens of women's studies, the research explores living organ transplantation as a social phenomenon and its implications on gender roles, incorporating feminist ethics. The findings reveal that the act of organ donation significantly influences the lives of women who choose to become living organ donors. The study underscores the importance of organ donation while emphasizing the need to increase the number of cadaver donors. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding and interpretation of women's organ donation experiences within the context of gender, shedding light on the broader societal implications of living organ transplantation. Keywords: Live Organ Transplants, Feminist Bioethics, Fenomenology, Organ Donation, Gender