But organ donors rose by less than 1 percent in 1999, according to the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations . The big beneficiaries are tissue banks and companies that showed gains in donors of as much as 40 percent, records and interviews show. Once the heart stops, organ donation is ruled out. Tissue still can be recovered. The government is trying new methods to increase organ and tissue donations.
Several grants target minority communities, which lag in donation.
Like many politicians and government officials, Gore said he was surprised by the size of the tissue trade. In Orange County, Chief Deputy Coroner Jacque Berndt explained why she doesn't charge the Orange County Eye and Tissue Bank to use the county morgue. Berndt also was unaware of the Santa Ana bank's corporate ties. Both companies are publicly traded and have developed trademark products. Berndt isn't the only coroner unaware of the business ties.