Should we harvest organs from patients who are not dead yet ?
A previously healthy middle-aged man has suffered a massive stroke from a ruptured artery in his brain and fallen into a persistent, then permanent, coma.
Now imagine that before the stroke our hypothetical patient had expressed a wish to donate his organs after his death. If neurologists could determine that the patient had no chance of recovery, then would that patient really be harmed if transplant surgeons removed life-support, such as ventilators and feeding tubes, and took his organs, instead of waiting for death by natural means? Certainly, the organ recipient would gain: waiting too long before declaring a patient dead could allow the disease process to impair organ function by decreasing blood flow to them, making those organs unsuitable for transplant.
Courtesy Aeonn essays
Yes
Side Score: 2
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No
Side Score: 3
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Yes, I agree with you on this topic Dermot (if this is in fact your position, you may be playing Devils Advocate). If there is in fact no potential for the person to recover than the opposing side would just have to argue that they have a sort of sentimental attachment toward the body (and this is where we run into problems with sincere religious believers with concepts of the "soul" and "miracles" and others with the "inherent sanctity of life"). Side: Yes
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would that patient really be harmed if transplant surgeons removed life-support, such as ventilators and feeding tubes, Hello D: That patient wouldn't be harmed.. But, society would.. That's why we have laws against murder.. Once we embark down that slippery slope, who's to say who should die, and for what ailment? If there's a benefit to society from knocking off one guy, so another guy can benefit, it would certainly be a benefit to society if we pulled the plug on ALL the terminally ill? What? Mass murder is worse than ONE murder?? excon Side: No
But Mint here is what I stated ....... If neurologists could determine that the patient had no chance of recovery, then would that patient really be harmed if transplant surgeons removed life-support, such as ventilators and feeding tubes, and took his organs, instead of waiting for death by natural means? ........ It's a violation of the persons wishes to do otherwise Side: Yes
You know what? Fair enough. If it's in his will and the wife/spouse decides to let them go, while I do think they should actually die first, then it's fine. I think that's up to the family but I wouldn't argue to keep them on life support if they are a veggie and their organs could save others. Side: No
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