During the last two decades, an intensive discussion has taken place in the field of medical ethics, which has lead to a reawakening of interest in the subject of living-donor organ transplantation and a re-evaluation of the moral problems related to it. In this process, traditional professional ethics have, to a large extent, been replaced by more complex modes of moral reasoning. The ethical principle of respect for the autonomy of persons has proven to be of prime importance in this field.