Organ Donation

[New Jack Swinger]

Should Catholics be listed as organ donors?

Sometimes you hear stories that people are on their death bed and due to the increase in demand for body parts and the $ value behind them, that they wont show enough interest in attempting to assist the person on their death bed in the hope that they score parts for donation.

[DavidObeid]

This is probably best answered by a medical doctor, but my understanding is that organs need to be harvested from a living body, and that more often than not, death is caused by the organ harvesting itself. If this is the case, then organ donation under such a scheme is immoral and we should have no part in it (neither donating, nor accepting organs).

[Kylie Maroun]

Where did you get that idea Dave???

If this was the case, wouldn't the Church be against organ donation (it would be a form of euthanasia)? As far as I know, The Catechism teaches that:

2296 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 sought for the recipient. Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a 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 to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons.

Does that mean that we shouldn't be listed as donors?

[God Is Love]

So does that mean on our drivers license it should be removed??? Eventhough the family has the last say on whether or not they want our organs given away

[Matthew]

"Where did you get that idea Dave???

If this was the case, wouldn't the Church be against organ donation (it would be a form of euthanasia"

Kylie! You are on the forum and active. How wonderful - even with those exams pressing down! :)

This is a very controversial topic. But the basic argument against organ donation is that the conditions set by the Church are rarely ever fulfilled. As that Catechism paragraph refers to "organ donation after death." However it is argued that most organ donation is in fact an example of the last paragraph that is, the disabling mutilation or death of a human being to delay the death of others.

How this is achieved is the invention of a new criterion of death known as "brain death." Brain dead is not actual death. However some treat it as though it is in fact death and proceed to harvest the organs which does of course kill the person. As far as I'm aware for organ donation to work they need to collect them prior to death so I think it may not be possible to do it in a morally acceptable manner. All the Catechism paragraph can really tell us there is nothing wrong in principle with someone being given someone else's organ (whereas say the Jehovah's Witness have a religious objection to it). But the whole debate hangs on the process of how the organs are taken to be donated, not donation as such.

I hope that helps.

[DavidObeid]

So does that mean on our drivers license it should be removed??? Eventhough the family has the last say on whether or not they want our organs given away

If the conditions are satisfied (ie we are actually dead, not simply "brain dead") then there is no problem.

Terri Shiavo (http://www.terrisfight.org/pages.php?page_id=3) was still able to communicate when she was declared brain dead and allowed to die slowly from dehydration and malnutrition. The whole "brain dead" thing is very troubling and unless families are equipped with a proper understanding they may not make the best decisions.

[Kylie Maroun]

I always have time to fuel my forum junkie tendencies :P

That helps a lot, thanks!

I might ask somebody more medically inclined about whether organs have to be harvested before death and get back to you though!

[Nemo]

What about in the situation where you can give up a organ such as a kidney to help a sick family member etc?

A organ where we can still live without to a degree.

[jissa]

So is it wrong by church teaching to participate in any organ donation, even in the situation nehmesis has given above?

[Matthew]

"What about in the situation where you can give up a organ such as a kidney to help a sick family member etc?"

Hi, Nehmesis, thanks for bringing this one up. Such a situation would be in conformity with the principles outlined in the Catechism. It isn't organ donation that is wrong but the means by which it may sometimes be done.

Thanks for that also Kylie! But you will have to be very clear and specific about what you mean by "death." Brain death doesn't cut it.

[DavidObeid]

What about in the situation where you can give up a organ such as a kidney to help a sick family member etc?

A organ where we can still live without to a degree.

Pope Pius XII was asked about the morality of organ and blood donation and his response was great. He said that in donating our organs and our blood we imitate Our Lord who give His whole Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Spectacular answer!

Of course, as stated above, this must be done in conformity with the natural law, and so harvesting organs in a way that brings about death remains immoral.

[jissa]

Yes thanks David that makes Perfect Sense :)