Key features

Some key elements of the law on organ transplantation: Current law was passed by presidential decree in September 2016, and took effect in March 2017. It provides definition and criteria for brain death, including the requirement for two physicians and a neurologist that the patient does not have blood flow to the brain. Transplants are allowed for solid organs including heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine, and thymus, and for tissues including bones, tendons, cornea, skin, heart valves, nerves and veins. Sale of human organs, tissues and their advertising for transplantation are banned. Donation of organs and tissues by a living person can only be made if the donor is legally competent, and to a recipient related within the fourth degree or between couples married for at least two years. Bone marrow can be donated by minors if it is transplanted in parents, siblings or children of the donor. Written consent from donor’s guardian is required. People can record their decision about becoming an organ and tissue donor for transplantation after death on the Emirates Identity Card or any other documents. They can also unconditionally backtrack on their decision. For a deceased donor who did not register their wish, the consent of a resident relative of the donor is required. This consent is invalid if the deceased expressed a refusal to donate while alive. A donor may change his mind before removing an organ, a part of it or a tissue, but may not recover a donated organ once it is removed.