Should we allow organ donation euthanasia?

[markomalley]

From the journal “Bioethics,” we read the following:

ABSTRACT

There are not enough solid organs available to meet the needs of patients with organ failure. Thousands of patients every year die on the waiting lists for transplantation. Yet there is one currently available, underutilized, potential source of organs. Many patients die in intensive care following withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment whose organs could be used to save the lives of others. At present the majority of these organs go to waste.

In this paper we consider and evaluate a range of ways to improve the number and quality of organs available from this group of patients. Changes to consent arrangements (for example conscription of organs after death) or changes to organ donation practice could dramatically increase the numbers of organs available, though they would conflict with currently accepted norms governing transplantation.

We argue that one alternative, Organ Donation Euthanasia, would be a rational improvement over current practice regarding withdrawal of life support. It would give individuals the greatest chance of being able to help others with their organs after death. It would increase patient autonomy. It would reduce the chance of suffering during the dying process. We argue that patients should be given the choice of whether and how they would like to donate their organs in the event of withdrawal of life support in intensive care.

Continuing current transplantation practice comes at the cost of death and prolonged organ failure. We should seriously consider all of the alternatives.
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I would hope that the responses would be one way, but somehow I have a feeling that this could generate some interesting conversation here.

Your thoughts? Do you agree with the fundamental proposition advanced by the authors or not? Why?

 

[Lady_Mariegrace]

I have told my kids that if i have any say-so, neither my organs or theirs are going anywhere until they are cold and dead. I am sorry but a beating heart is still life to me. I will trust God to let me know if there is something different i need to know about this.
i have VERY strong feelings about this and hospice care having watched my dad and my grandmother die.

 

[Jermosh]

I think there is some discussion in the matter, sometimes we hold on to our loved ones longer then needed. Some good could have happened from their loss.

But this is a slippery road, and I don’t want a organ tourist program like they have in other countries.

 

[Newbie2]

Active Euthanasia is never permitted, regardless of the potential “good” that could come of such organs.

“Passive” euthaniasia, as some may incorrectly define it i.e. “pulling the plug” on a brain-dead patient is allowed under certain circumstances. It doesn’t seem to me that’s what is advocated in the article, though…seems to me like they would be pushing this as an alternatiave: “Well, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Jones is likely to be paralyzed from the neck down IF he ever wakes up from his coma, so we might as well pull his life support so that his organs can do someone else some good”.

The premise is “we don’t have enough transplant organs”, which may be true, but such a starting point does not respect the dignity of each individual donor.