RT Journal
A1 Kesselheim JC, Lehmann LE, Styron N, Joffe S
T1 THe ethics of hematopoietic stem cell donation by minors—reply
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2009
FD November 1
VO 163
IS 11
SP 1065
OP 1066
DO 10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.195
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.195
AB 
There are several reasons why Ross's proposal is misguided. First, assigning an advocate to every potential minor donor, even before HLA compatibility is confirmed, would entail both logistical challenges and unreasonable resource demands, particularly given the safety of the donation procedure and the renewability of HSCs. Second, the argument that potential minor donors require an advocate devalues the role of physicians, nurses, psychosocial clinicians, and other providers as patient advocates. Clinicians are fully capable of upholding ethical and legal commitments to minor HSC donors. Our article was not meant to suggest, as Ross's proposal would imply, that transplant clinicians cannot appropriately weigh donors' interests.