Organ donation has a significant impact on society, with profound medical, emotional, and social implications. For those who suffer from serious illnesses, receiving an organ can represent a crucial life opportunity, allowing them to regain health and lead an active life. Likewise, this practice fosters solidarity and altruism, constituting an act of generosity that unites communities and reinforces values such as empathy and mutual help. Thanks to donation, medical professionals can develop new techniques and treatments that benefit future generations. However, despite these evident benefits, considerable misinformation persists regarding organ donation. This misinformation constitutes a significant obstacle, as it generates doubts, distrust, and fear in the population. This paper aims, on the one hand, to analyze the relationship between misinformation and organ donation; and on the other, to offer keys to overcoming this problem, which has considerably affected the promotion of a culture favorable to donation.
Misinformation is closely related to the development of organ donation, generating serious consequences that affect both patients on waiting lists and the public perception of the process. Firstly, incorrect or incomplete information generates fear and doubts about donation and transplant processes, which decreases the number of individuals willing to register as donors. This reduction in the availability of organs prolongs waiting times for patients, seriously compromising their survival.
Moreover, the lack of education on the subject facilitates the proliferation of erroneous ideas, such as the supposed existence of a black market for organs or the belief that doctors will not try to save a patient’s life if he or she is a donor. This lack of understanding about the donation process can lead the families of potential donors to refuse the possibility of donating their loved one’s organs, resulting in the loss of valuable opportunities to save lives. Likewise, the absence of access to clear and reliable information can foster distrust towards the institutions in charge of transplants. Finally, it is important to consider that certain religious or cultural beliefs have also contributed to discouraging organ donation.
Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that misinformation regarding organ donation presents significant variations between cultures and countries, influenced by factors such as local traditions, access to reliable information, religious beliefs, and the level of trust in the health system. In this sense, the perception of the body after death is a determining factor in the willingness to donate organs in various cultures. While some religions consider donation an act of charity, others may have reservations about it. Furthermore, in nations where trust in the health system is limited, citizens may fear that their organs will be misused, making donation even more difficult. Similarly, the absence of strong educational campaigns contributes to a lower donation rate and actively encourages the spread of misinformation.
Overcoming the problem of misinformation in organ donation is an imperative that requires an approach based on information and education. While the current technological era facilitates access to a vast amount of data about donation, it is crucial to recognize that this information is not always adequately understood by the population. Addressing this challenge implies, first of all, the training and awareness-raising of those key actors involved in the problem of the shortage of organs for transplants.
Organ donation represents a unique testimony of charity and, in a contemporary context often marked by selfishness, it becomes increasingly urgent to understand the importance of adopting a logic of gratuity for a full conception of life. In this sense, strengthening the culture of donation demands the implementation of structured programs, designed and delivered by specialists in transplants and organ donation. The objective of these programs is to provide the population with precise knowledge that allows them to broaden and clarify their understanding of this vital act.
To foster a strong culture of organ donation, education emerges as the fundamental pillar. It must be comprehensive, encompassing various dimensions of the person and integrating them harmoniously in the educational process. One of these is the human dimension, which seeks to bring the individual closer to the reality of organ donation and encourage openness towards it. Moreover, it is crucial to develop personalities that mature in their understanding of the culture of donation. Likewise, it is essential to highlight the spiritual aspect. Approaching organ donation from this perspective would imply rooting the believer in the way of life and service proposed by principles such as those of Christianity. This would make it possible to understand that organ donation, by saving human lives and improving the health status of people with no other alternatives, responds to a profound social need and constitutes an act of love for one’s neighbor. Given its complexity, organ donation requires serious and constantly updated reflection through studies. These should open people up to new horizons, enabling them for discernment, critical judgment, and informed dialogue about the culture of donation.
Nevertheless, the promotion of a culture of donation, through information, awareness, and education, must necessarily involve the family, considered the “heritage of humanity.” The family stands as the most valuable treasure of many societies and is, par excellence, the primary source of human and cultural values where its members learn the value of life and the generosity inherent in donation. In this context, it is essential to spread clear and evidence-based information through platforms such as social networks, public announcements, and educational programs implemented within the family, as well as in schools and universities. However, to achieve this, it is imperative to foster responsibility in the dissemination of data about donation, in order to avoid the spread of falsehoods. Likewise, the study and dissemination of donor stories that, through their generosity, make a vital difference by offering others a second chance at life, becomes highly relevant. These inspiring narratives are intended mainly to highlight the viability and the positive impact of organ donation.
However, to achieve this, it is imperative to encourage responsibility in the dissemination of data about donation, in order to avoid the spread of falsehoods. Likewise, the study and dissemination of donor stories that, through their generosity, make a vital difference by offering a second chance at life to others, becomes of great importance. These inspiring narratives are primarily intended to highlight the feasibility and positive impact of organ donation.
Overcoming misinformation about organ donation requires a comprehensive approach based on collective understanding and collaboration. This approach must, as a matter of necessity, respect the different cultural and religious beliefs and practices of the population. Through continuous education, the provision of clear and verified information, the promotion of intercultural dialogue, and the development of inclusive policies, it is possible to promote greater awareness and acceptance of organ donation as an altruistic act of transcendent importance for life. Ultimately, the consolidation of a robust culture of donation will depend on a sustained and multifaceted effort that, by dispelling myths and generating trust, opens the way to second chances for those awaiting a transplant.
The dissemination of clear, evidence-based information through platforms such as social networks, public announcements, and educational programs implemented within the family, as well as in schools and universities, is essential. However, to achieve this, it is imperative to encourage responsibility in sharing information about donation, in order to avoid the spread of falsehoods. In addition, the study and sharing of stories of donors who, through their generosity, make a vital difference by giving others a second chance at life, is of great importance. These inspiring narratives are intended to highlight the feasibility and the positive impact of organ donation.
In conclusion, overcoming misinformation about organ donation requires a comprehensive approach based on understanding and collective collaboration. This approach must, above all, respect the various cultural and religious beliefs and practices of the population. Through ongoing education, the provision of clear and verified information, the promotion of intercultural dialogue, and the development of inclusive policies, it is possible to foster greater awareness and acceptance of organ donation as an altruistic act of the utmost importance for life. Ultimately, the consolidation of a robust culture of donation will depend on a sustained and multifaceted effort that, by dispelling myths and building trust, opens the way to second chances for those awaiting a transplant.
F. Jean Rolex, C.M.
CSLI (2025). The Importance of Organ Donation. Retrieved from https://cienciasinlimites.org/.
Guillén Poyato, A.C., Cortés Moros, I., Alonso Moreno, A., Mora Simbal, M., Calvo Cozcolluela, D., & Martínez Sánchez, M.V. (2024). The importance of donations in healthcare and their social impact. Ocronos Journal, 7(5), 223.
Ibid.
Molina, M. I., Toro, P.A., Manzia, E., Dávalos, D., Torres, K., Aristizábala, A.M., Gómez, C., Echeverria, G.J. (2018). Main causes of family refusal for organ and tissue donation: 10 years of experience in a Latin American center. Revista Nefrología, 38(2), 109-246.
Ibid.
Mestizo Hernández, M. (2025). Myths and social misinformation: limiting factors in organ donation in Colombia. Retrieved from https://medicinaysaludpublica.com/
López Macarro, U.S., Esteban Marco, P., Roselló De Miguel, C., Bordei, L., Alfonso Juan Juárez Serrano, A.J., & Salas Ferrer, M. (2024). Cultural and religious barriers in organ donation. Ocronos Journal, 7(9), 317.
Gaceta UNAM (2025). Misinformation and distrust hinder organ donation. Retrieved from https://www.gaceta.unam.mx/.
Benedict XVI (2012). Address on the occasion of the visit to the Sacred Heart Catholic University on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic. Retrieved from https://www.vatican.va/content/benedictxvi/en/speeches/2012/may/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120503_gemelli.html.
Francis. (2019). Address to the Italian Association for the Donation of Organs, Tissues and Cells (AIDO). Retrieved from https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2019/april/documents/papa-francesco_20190413_donazione-organi.html.
López Macarro, U.S., Esteban Marco, P., Roselló De Miguel, C., Bordei, L., Alfonso Juan Juárez Serrano, A.J., & Salas Ferrer, M. (2024). Cultural and religious barriers in organ donation. Ocronos Journal, 7(9), 317.
