American Society of Transplantation Says 'Grey's Anatomy's' Portrayal of Transplantation Issues Harmful to the Public

American Society of Transplantation Says 'Grey's Anatomy's' Portrayal of Transplantation Issues Harmful to the Public

MT. LAUREL, N.J., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of Transplantation (AST) has gone public with its criticism of the writers and producers of "Grey's Anatomy" for failing to provide accurate information about organ transplantation. On October 2, millions of viewers watched an episode titled "Enough is Enough," which ranked number five in the weekly Nielsen Ratings. Unfortunately, viewers witnessed a storyline that grossly misrepresented the facts of organ recovery and transplantation. AST, an international organization of transplant professionals, maintains that when writers and producers play fast and loose with the facts of organ donation, they irrevocably damage public perception.

A Flawed Plot

In "Enough is Enough," a purportedly brain-dead female is transferred to Seattle Grace Hospital, the dramatic center of "Grey's Anatomy." An examination reveals that she is not brain-dead but had suffered a severe brain injury. Ignoring the diagnosis, the "expert" organ recovery team prepares to remove her organs. A clear-thinking neurosurgeon intervenes to save the patient. "For the producers to suggest that a surgical team would not exercise due diligence before removing an organ is highly inaccurate, undermines public confidence in the medical profession, and raises unsubstantiated concerns about organ donation," stresses Richard N. Fine, M.D., AST president.

Fact or Fiction?

"Grey's Anatomy" is a television drama; it is not news programming. But television shows, whether fictionalized or factually accurate, can influence viewers. Years ago, when the television series "Marcus Welby, M.D." was popular, more than a quarter million viewers sought medical advice from Dr. Welby. Many of these individuals were average people, avid television viewers who blurred the line between fact and fiction - the same type of person who may one day wrestle with an organ donation decision. "When television writers address emotionally-charged subjects without the facts, they are acting recklessly," emphasized Fine.

Nearly 90,000 people are awaiting organ transplants. Organ donation depends on individuals who trust that organ allocation is fair and equitable and that physicians accurately determine when death has occurred before organs are recovered. A U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality study found that organ donations increase when families have good information about the process. Episodes like "Enough is Enough" undermine this fragile trust and can discourage organ donations.

Transplantation in the Media

"As a service to the public, AST strongly urges 'Grey's Anatomy's' producers to revisit the issue and provide accurate information about organ recovery and donation," states Fine. "AST requests the media's support in ensuring that factual information about organ donation is never sacrificed in the interest of improving ratings," Fine added.

About AST

AST was founded in 1982 and includes 2,300 transplant professionals. Contact them at http://www.a-s-t.org/.

CONTACT: LEZA RAFFEL

(215) 884-6499

Source: American Society of Transplantation

CONTACT: Leza Raffel for American Society of Transplantation,
+1-215-884-6499

Web site: http://www.a-s-t.org/

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