Integration of Digital Registries and blockchain in Organ Donation: Legal, Ethical, and Policy Challenges under Indian Law

Abstract

India still has many miles left to go in organ donation which is not marked by high donation rates, no transparency, inefficiency in their allocation and ethical concerns such as organs trafficking and unfair access. With the growth of digital technologies, blockchain is now one of the most promising options to address these problems of the system since it is decentralized, unchangeable, and more secure. The paper examines the adaptability of using blockchain-based digital registries to organ donation systems within the Indian legal system and the legal, ethical, and policymaker concerns, in particular. The research design presupposes the descriptive and analytical study based on the secondary data in the form of journal articles, legal provisions, and policy reports. These findings indicate that blockchain-based organ donation systems can contribute to the increased efficiency, transparency, and traceability of an organization. However, it is restricted by the absence of a detailed legal framework, data privacy and consent concerns and ethical ethical concerns of algorithmic fairness. The study then concludes that although integration of blockchains has a transformative potential, it needs legal changes, ethical protection and synergy of policies. The research contributes to the emerging literature on digital health governance and its implications to the policy maker and the interested parties in improving the organ donation systems in India.