10th Commentary - The morality of organ transplant
This commentary is on the given article on organ transplant, entitled "Brain-dead is dead - but maybe not for loved ones"
The issue in question is the morality of the use of organs from people who are brain-dead. This is due to the change in the human organ transplant act (HOTA), allowing the use of the organs of brain-dead patients. People who are brain-dead are actually alive, in the fact that their hearts continue beating. However, they require the use of life support to remain in that state. So in a sense, these people are almost as good as being dead. That is probably the reason for the organ transplant act to allow the use of organs from such patients, if they had not opted out of the program.
I, however, feel that it is not right for doctors to take the organs from brain-dead patients. This is due to the reason that these people are not dead - close to death, but not truly dead. I believe that the family members of such patients would feel the same way - as long as the patient is still breathing and has a beating heart, he or she is not dead. Furthermore, taking the organs from these patients gives one a feeling of cruelty, as the patient is already in a very sad state, and people still want to take their organs - it just does not seem very respectful to the patient. I really think these people deserve more respect. Moreover, the taking of the organs from these patients could cause the family even more grief, as they would need to accept that the person was technically dead, even though their heart has not stopped. I feel that the patients should be cared for well, and not thought of as a source for organs.
If doctors need organs, they should just continue using organs from the dead who agreed under the program, not the almost dead. I think it is more respectful this way.
The issue in question is the morality of the use of organs from people who are brain-dead. This is due to the change in the human organ transplant act (HOTA), allowing the use of the organs of brain-dead patients. People who are brain-dead are actually alive, in the fact that their hearts continue beating. However, they require the use of life support to remain in that state. So in a sense, these people are almost as good as being dead. That is probably the reason for the organ transplant act to allow the use of organs from such patients, if they had not opted out of the program.
I, however, feel that it is not right for doctors to take the organs from brain-dead patients. This is due to the reason that these people are not dead - close to death, but not truly dead. I believe that the family members of such patients would feel the same way - as long as the patient is still breathing and has a beating heart, he or she is not dead. Furthermore, taking the organs from these patients gives one a feeling of cruelty, as the patient is already in a very sad state, and people still want to take their organs - it just does not seem very respectful to the patient. I really think these people deserve more respect. Moreover, the taking of the organs from these patients could cause the family even more grief, as they would need to accept that the person was technically dead, even though their heart has not stopped. I feel that the patients should be cared for well, and not thought of as a source for organs.
If doctors need organs, they should just continue using organs from the dead who agreed under the program, not the almost dead. I think it is more respectful this way.
posted by Raylen at 9:15 PM
1 Comments:
I do not agree with your view point. I feel that although brain dead patients' heart may still be beating, they are in fact considered dead as there are no cure to revive the patient. Therefore, instead of stuggling to keep the heart beating, they should be put to rest and end their suffering.
Although drugs such as heparin and phentolamine will hasten heart death, i feel that a temporarily pain that he suffers,can actually remove a permanent pain from another person. Since there are no cure to revive the patient, they should donate their organs to those who need it more.
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