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About Tissue Donation

Need for Human Tissue Donation

Human tissues are essential for treating burns, bone cancer, severe eye diseases, and injuries involving bones, joints, and ligaments.

Many people need human tissue donation, but

Currently, Korea has limited human tissue donation,

relying on imports for approximately 91.6% (as of 2023) of transplant materials.

Import Dependency of Human Tissue Transplant Materials

Domestic Production

8.4%

Raw Material Imports

60.2%

Finished Product Imports

31.4%

Source: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Need for Self-Sufficiency in Human Tissues

Over 90% of human tissues used in Korea are imported. Dependence on imports causes economic burdens for patients and may lead to supply instability when demand suddenly increases.

Need for Safe Transplant Materials

Some imported tissues are collected overseas after use and may not guarantee safety or quality due to limited traceability and verification.

Human Tissue Donation

Human tissue donation refers to the act of providing part of one's tissue after brain death or death, without compensation,
to help others recover health, restore bodily functions, or prevent disabilities.
A single donor's tissues can bring hope and healing to up to 100 people.

Tissues that can be donated

「According to Article 3 of the Act on Safety, Management, etc. of Human Tissue

Skin, bone, cartilage, tendons and ligaments, muscles, corneas, heart valves, blood vessels, nerves, and heart.

Skin

Burn treatment

Bone

Bone cancer, bone injury

Cartilage

Cartilage injury

Tendons and ligaments

Tendon repair, degenerative diseases

Fascia

Skin defect

Vessels

Coronary artery bypass surgery, organ transplant surgery

Heart valves

Heart valve disease, heart valve replacement surgery

Amnion

Corneal damage, chronic surface disease

Nerves

Damaged peripheral nerves, regeneration

Heart

Atrial or ventricular shock defect

Conditions for Human Tissue Donation

Anyone can donate human tissue regardless of age. However, the eligible age for donation may vary depending on the donor's health condition and the medical professional's assessment.