P
Pray4Life
Guest
I am preparing to write one of those medical directive things, about what to do if I am incapable of making medical decisions for myself. Just a better safe than sorry thing, I am listed on my license as being an organ donor and it has recently come to my attention that if I am to uphold the Church’s teachings on this point, I am going to have to be a little more specific than “use your best judgment” when it comes to these issues.
Well, truth is, I am not terribly attached to being alive (I’m not suicidal, mind you, just not smitten with the idea of living as long as humanly possible +10 years). I want to meet my moral obligations, of course, and I know the outcome of my life and its duration rests solely in our Lord’s hands. That is how it ought to be. But I am wondering if it is unreasonable to say that I do not desire any organ transplants, even if one would preserve my life and could be made in an ethical manner (taken from a person who is already, indisputably dead, for instance). Is not agreeing to do something like that failing to do ENOUGH?
I guess the ultimate question is “how far am I obligated to go to preserve my own life?” Nutrition, hydration, a blood transfusion, oxygen…I’m OK with those things. Those do not seem “extraordinary” to me. But would I be obligated to accept an (ethical) transplant if there were good odds of success in taking one? Or could I reasonably refuse since something like a heart transplant is a major procedure? Thanks for any ideas.
Well, truth is, I am not terribly attached to being alive (I’m not suicidal, mind you, just not smitten with the idea of living as long as humanly possible +10 years). I want to meet my moral obligations, of course, and I know the outcome of my life and its duration rests solely in our Lord’s hands. That is how it ought to be. But I am wondering if it is unreasonable to say that I do not desire any organ transplants, even if one would preserve my life and could be made in an ethical manner (taken from a person who is already, indisputably dead, for instance). Is not agreeing to do something like that failing to do ENOUGH?
I guess the ultimate question is “how far am I obligated to go to preserve my own life?” Nutrition, hydration, a blood transfusion, oxygen…I’m OK with those things. Those do not seem “extraordinary” to me. But would I be obligated to accept an (ethical) transplant if there were good odds of success in taking one? Or could I reasonably refuse since something like a heart transplant is a major procedure? Thanks for any ideas.