New transplant rules set to save dozens of lives

LONDON, Apr 26 (Reuters) Transplant patients who need a new kidney will soon be able to receive them from donors they do not know, under new rules due to come into force from September.

Currently, kidney transplants from living donors can only take place between family members or those closely associated like husbands and wives.

The Human Tissue Authority (HTA), which regulates the removal and use of human organs, announced the new regulations today.

''The new legislation is set to increase the number of living kidney transplants by allowing anonymous altruistic and paired living kidney donations,'' said HTA chairman Baroness Hayman in a statement.

Paired transplants involve couples or two family members where the patient needs a new kidney but the potential donor is incompatible, perhaps because of differing blood groups.

Under the new rules, two such couples in similar situations where the donors are compatible will be matched.

Transplants from the living have a greater chance of success than those from deceased donors.

The aim of the new rules is to reduce waiting lists for organs from deceased donors.

REUTERS DKS ND1644