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Bedford Times-Mail Cleaning up after the entertainment industry
Those story lines Hollywood delivers in television programs and movies are fiction. Too many people don't understand that, and they allow fiction, versus reality, to influence their actions In many instances, those actions matter considerably. That's the case with organ donation, an area where one informed expert convincingly argues that television shows and movies are getting in the way of organ donation efforts by providing distorted views of reality. Susan Morgan, a Purdue University health communication expert, is so frustrated by Hollywood's irresponsible treatment of the issue that she has set out to counter the myths the entertainment industry is perpetuating. Morgan is sharing the truths about organ donation through the New Jersey Workplace Partnership for Life. The goal is to offer accurate information in workplace settings. The bottom line is Morgan is investing her time and energies in cleaning up after the television and movie industries. She is debunking the public misconceptions that reckless leaders of the entertainment industry have created in a world where an emotional and moving tale is more valued than an accurate portrayal of a process that saves lives. Morgan said, "Fictitious story lines that focus on a black market for organs or doctors who murder patients for their organs are taking their toll." She further explains that organ procurement has been hindered by shows featuring stories about murderers stealing organs to sell on the black market, doctors declaring death prematurely to save a friend's life, corruption in the medical system to procure organs for wealthy or famous people, and treating people who are organ donors as sources for spare parts. Thank you, Hollywood."Few of the scenarios are even close to being accurate," Morgan said, adding that many people, consequently, are scared to sign up to be organ donors. If there are those who would say Morgan is overreacting, they can tell that to the more than 90,000 people who are waiting for transplants. That includes people in close to transplant centers in Indianapolis, where more than 660 people need transplants, and in Louisville, Ky., where more than 570 people are waiting for organs. Sam Davis, director of professional services for the Indiana Organ Donation Organization, agrees it's important that people get information from authoritative sources. Until Hollywood decides to value accurate portrayals of circumstances that relate to life and death issues, Morgan and others will have to continue cleaning up after the industry's irresponsible opportunists. But don't hold your breath.
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