Lafayette Journal & CourierStudy: Hollywood's impact on organ donations is negativeDorothy Schneider August 3, 2007 New research from Purdue University shows that inaccurate organ donation storylines coming out of Hollywood are negatively swaying public opinion and possibly costing lives. Susan Morgan, associate professor of health communication at Purdue University and author of Entertainment (Mis)Education, studied more than 80 medical dramas, police shows, comedy and daytime soap operas in 2004 and 2005 and found none presented accurate plotlines about organ donation. Morgan found that the Hollywood coverage of organ and tissue donation actually stopped people from registering as organ donors. Her study has prompted the launch of a new organization - Donate Life Hollywood -- which will push for correct and positive coverage of organ donation and transplant stories on television. More than 96,000 people are waiting for transplants and many will not receive one in time. Hearts, kidneys, livers, lungs, pancreases and small intestines can be transplanted along with many types of tissue, including corneas, heart valves and bone.
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