Organ Transplants

[scc11]

Hi all, I heard someone mention something once that organ transplants go against Catholic doctrine. Is that true? What if someone needs a heart transplant to live?

 

[Gidras05]

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.

I hope this helps clear this up for you =)

 

[SonCatcher]

There are religions that object to organ transplants but Catholicism is not one of them.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

The problem with transplants, is whether they are taken from a living or a dead donor. The medical profession has been busy redefining death to enable them to take organs from the donor sooner and sooner.

See
Vital Organ Transplantation
and “Brain Death”**
**A Re-Examination of the
Basic Issues by Dr. Paul A. Byrne

…RE:

When we speak of vital organs, what organs are we talking about?
Dr. Byrne: Vital organs (from the Latin vita, meaning life) include the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and pancreas. In order to be suitable for transplant, they need to be removed from the donor before respiration and circulation cease. Otherwise, these organs are not suitable, since damage to the organs occurs within a brief time after circulation of blood with oxygen stops. Removing vital organs from a living person prior to cessation of circulation and respiration will cause the donor’s death…