Changes in human tissue donor attitudes: 1969-1974.

Surveys of various community groups reveals changes in attitudes regarding human tissue donation from 1969 to the present. An overall donor ratio of 67% in 1969 is compared to a donor volunteer ratio of 78% in 1974. Both prospective donors and nondonors rate various organ transplantation procedures more favorably now than in 1969, with nondonors showing a particularly striking rise in evaluation of such procedures. Even transplant operations such as liver or heart, now largely abandoned, are viewed more favorably today. Attitudes concerning giving or receiving of blood occupy a special place in donor regard since both donors and nondonors overwhelmingly favor blood transfusion and do not differ significantly in this respect.