OBJECTIVES: to learn the opinion of adolescents regarding organ donation. METHODS: a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study was carried out with 13 adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years at two public schools in Recife, in the Brazilian State of Pernambuco. Data were collected between February and May 2008 in semi-structured interviews that were subsequently subjected to themed content analysis. RESULTS: for themes were identified: the idea of saving lives; knowledge revealed; helpful and unhelpful feelings regarding organ donation; other issues that influence the decision to donate organs. The adolescents showed a willingness to save lives by donating organs, although this was not sufficient for them to make a decision to do so. The influence of family, friends and the media could be a positive or negative factor and the possibility of contributing to the continuation of life weighed positively in the decision. CONCLUSIONS: In the opinion of adolescents, organ donation is necessary and they want to do their bit, although they do not have sufficient knowledge of the subject. There is a need for more systematic and accurate information to ensure that their desire to donate organs and save lives is transformed into reality.
Adolescent; Bioethics; Organ donation; Brain death; Organ transplantation