ISHLT Publishes Updated Ethics Framework for Transplantation and Scientific Research
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) has published an updated Statement on Transplant Ethics, accompanied by a Board-approved Implementation Framework, creating a comprehensive ethics framework for the Society's scientific and educational programs.
The updated Ethics Framework is the culmination of nearly a year of discussion and collaboration involving the ISHLT Ethics Committee, Board of Directors, and Leadership Advisory Forum. Drawing on the Society's multidisciplinary expertise and international perspective, it reflects broad consensus on the ethical principles that should guide transplantation and transplantation research worldwide.
The Statement reaffirms ISHLT's longstanding commitment to ethical organ donation, transplantation, and scientific research. The accompanying Implementation Framework modernizes and makes transparent the Society's approach to applying those principles consistently across ISHLT's meetings, publications, registries, grants, and other scientific programs.
As transplantation science continues to evolve and international collaboration expands, the updated framework provides a clear, globally applicable foundation for ethical research and clinical practice. By establishing a unified approach across its scientific activities, ISHLT is strengthening its leadership in advancing ethical transplantation and fostering public trust in transplantation science worldwide.
The Statement is grounded in three fundamental principles:
- Organ donation must always be voluntary and free from coercion or exploitation.
- Organs must be allocated fairly through ethical and transparent processes.
- Access to transplantation should be based on clinical need, without discrimination.
Read the ISHLT Statement on Transplant Ethics
A Consistent Framework Across ISHLT Programs
The Board-approved Implementation Framework provides an updated, transparent governance framework for applying ISHLT's ethical principles consistently across the Society's scientific programs.
Beginning with the ISHLT2027 Call for Abstracts, opening 3 August 2026, the framework will guide ethics review of scientific submissions. The same framework is also being incorporated into the editorial review processes for The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation (JHLT) and JHLT Open, ensuring a consistent approach to ethical review across ISHLT's scientific activities.
Together, the Statement and Implementation Framework reinforce ISHLT's commitment to ensuring that scientific excellence and ethical integrity remain inseparable while positioning the Society to play a leading role in the ongoing global conversation on transplantation ethics.