AmericanPapist Comments
You raise an important issue, Thomas - one of several "variations" on the theme of organ donation. Much MORE likely to find its way into the system is the already growing demand for non-related,directed organ donation, and/or the buying and selling of organs. In the first instance, you need a kidney, you advertise on Craigslist for one, I see it, and agree to give one of mine to you. In the second, and possibly related scenario, I need money and I offer my kidney to (the highest bidder?) someone who needs one.
The ethical, legal and social implications of these possibilities are numerous, and the analogies used for argumentation (blood donation, bone marrow donation, donating to a family member) fall apart eventually. As we continue to perversely devalue human life while at the same time trying to "save it," and we increasingly commodify the body and its parts, thoughtful reflection on these issues becomes even more important. Thanks for posting this!
Interesting stuff. Can you be a little more specific about the "abuses related to organ donation"? I'm considering becoming a donor myself.
Even though I'm an organ donor myself (I mean, c'mon...I'll be dead. What am I going to do with them?), I think that organ donation should ALWAYS be and opt-in system, not an opt-out system.
I think about the internet and how much angst there is about opt-out systems, where you are automatically sent email/spam/junk you don't want unless you find some obscure place to opt-out of it. And the government thinks that people will be ok with this because it's their organs? Doubtful.
Simply put, there's significant concern that people who offer to donate their organs are not given as aggressive life saving treatment as those who have "opted out."
Plus, the criterion for determining death used by many hospitals (and hence the point at which organs can be harvested), falls significantly short of Church teaching on the acceptable biological/neurological signs of death. This can reach the amazing point of donating organs from a live beating heart donor, or one who has not been shown to be in a PVS state, etc.
I hope to address that topic in another essay, although it is very complex and there are still many unanswered questions.
Thom,
You've put your finger on why I am NOT an organ donor. My husband will have the leeway to dispose of my organs after I am past the point of no return, as I trust him to fight for my life, not just the good condition of my internal organs! (and he knows that I would be willing to have my organs donated) But I will not sign any document pledging my organs for donation, out of fear that I will be treated as a potential source of organs rather than as a patient should I ever be in a life-threatening accident.
Thomas --
Is there a definitive Catholic teaching on this subject (I mean voluntary donation, of course)?
I've always assumed that the Church approves of organ donation and transplantation (assuming a decedent has consented and that death is properly ascertained), but as I read your piece I could not recall anything definitive that I had read on the subject.
Organ donation is supported by the Church presuming that you are, in fact, dead when your vital organs are removed. The problem comes in when transplant teams "jump the gun" to get more viable donations - and force the patient's death in the process.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2296) states: "Organ transplants are in conformity with the moral law if the physical and psychological dangers and risks to the donor are proportionate to the good that is sought for the recipient. Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorous act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity. It is not morally acceptable if the donor or his proxy has not given explicit consent. Moreover, it is not morally admissible directly to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons."
CCC 2301 reads: "The free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious."
So there's a couple citations.
Thomas --
Thanks.
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