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Are you an organ donor? Why or why not should a person donate their organs after their death?
Are you an organ donor? Why or why not should a person donate their organs after their death? It's almost time to renew my license and I am currently a donor, but have become hesitant. Most compelling argument either way will receive the 10 dollars.
voted interesting: nushka, mshubin, fletchypoo
answers (10)
I have an aunt who had kidney disease for most of her life, and was bedridden for for six years before she received a cadaver kidney transplant. That was over 35 years ago. The transplant allowed her to raise her family, have a career, enjoy her grandchildren, and live a full life.
I will not need my organs when I'm dead, and if they could give someone else a life, it would be the ultimate act of selfishness to refuse.
I will not need my organs when I'm dead, and if they could give someone else a life, it would be the ultimate act of selfishness to refuse.
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That is a wonderful story. Thank you very much for your answer!
Personally I am an organ donor, I believe that if I no longer need the vital organs that give me life they should be used to save another life or further research. I think the only opposition to donating organs is based on religion.
I don't personally have this view, but I have one friend that refuses to become an organ donor because she believes they may not try as hard to save her if they know she is an organ donor. I guess she thinks they might see the organ donor card and figure they could let her die and still get some use out of her.
@johnsonaaron Some people do have that concern but it's not necessarily true. While some doctors and hospital staff are unethical, I'd say that most doctors take ethics very seriously and will provide a patient the best care possible. I know many doctors, including a neurosurgeon that often has to diagnose brain death in order to begin the donation process. I can't even fathom one of these doctors denying care because the patient is an organ donor.
I have had my organ donor sticker since I got my first driver's license. I would strongly encourage anybody to do the same.
I did not think hard about this decision at all. All I had to do what to put myself in a recipient's shoes. If I were dying of an illness that could be cured with an organ transplant, I would wish everybody in the world were a donor, to give me the best possible opportunity to find a match. And if I could save a life (or someone's sight, or their health, etc) by giving organs that have zero use to me after I die, I would do it in a second.
I know some people have a religious or moral argument against donating organs, but that does not apply to me. I believe if we are able to save a life by donating an organ, we not only have the option, but it is a moral imperative to do so. I see it as the exact same thing as if somebody were about to fall off a cliff. If I am able to help that person not fall, I believe I am also morally obligated to do so.
I did not think hard about this decision at all. All I had to do what to put myself in a recipient's shoes. If I were dying of an illness that could be cured with an organ transplant, I would wish everybody in the world were a donor, to give me the best possible opportunity to find a match. And if I could save a life (or someone's sight, or their health, etc) by giving organs that have zero use to me after I die, I would do it in a second.
I know some people have a religious or moral argument against donating organs, but that does not apply to me. I believe if we are able to save a life by donating an organ, we not only have the option, but it is a moral imperative to do so. I see it as the exact same thing as if somebody were about to fall off a cliff. If I am able to help that person not fall, I believe I am also morally obligated to do so.
I've let my next of kin know that, in the case of death, I would like my organs donated. I'm not yet an organ donor. I've given blood dozens of times. My last couple of donations went poorly so it's been a while.
Reasons NOT to fill in the donor card on your license:
1. The process can be very difficult on your next of kin. Especially if you donate the rest of your body to medical research.
2. There are rumors that the quality of care you receive changes if you are an organ donor; that they start working towards you being prepared for harvesting rather than doing everything possible to keep you alive (don't want to injure those lovely organs doing an open chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
3. You have a communicable disease (such as HIV) that could put the recipient in danger.
4. Your religion has proscriptions against this kind of donation.
Reasons NOT to fill in the donor card on your license:
1. The process can be very difficult on your next of kin. Especially if you donate the rest of your body to medical research.
2. There are rumors that the quality of care you receive changes if you are an organ donor; that they start working towards you being prepared for harvesting rather than doing everything possible to keep you alive (don't want to injure those lovely organs doing an open chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
3. You have a communicable disease (such as HIV) that could put the recipient in danger.
4. Your religion has proscriptions against this kind of donation.
voted helpful: srgothard
As for Christian religious proscriptions, obviously the Bible does not say anything against organ donation. The theory some hold (I don't hold to it) is that in the rapture their organs will fly out of the recipients. I'll leave the door open for the possibility, but the odds of my organ still being in use at the time of the rapture balanced with the fact that the recipient may have died without them leaves me willing to run the risk.
Really interesting answers, encorceled! Do you need to declare any pre-existing conditions before signing up?
Some sects of Judaism and Islam think that it is improper to take organs from the body after death. Note that most Jews and Muslims leaders support organ donations.
Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs make it difficult to perform transplants (all blood must be removed).
This I just learned, Shinto believes that the dead body is inpure and dangerous which leads to issues with donations.
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/religious_perspectives/leaflets/islam_and_organ_donation.jsp
http://www.organtransplants.org/understanding/religion/
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/religious_perspectives/leaflets/judaism_and_organ_donation.jsp
Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs make it difficult to perform transplants (all blood must be removed).
This I just learned, Shinto believes that the dead body is inpure and dangerous which leads to issues with donations.
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/religious_perspectives/leaflets/islam_and_organ_donation.jsp
http://www.organtransplants.org/understanding/religion/
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/religious_perspectives/leaflets/judaism_and_organ_donation.jsp
Yes. I did sign up as an organ donor last time I renewed my license and I feel comfortable with my decision.
I think the best argument for is that you won't need your organs in the afterlife. When we die we basically lose all claims to everything in the world of the living. It has no consequence because we can't take anything with us in death.
In more realistic and not metaphysical terms, it's because they will go to waste. Decomposition is inevitable and so your organs will just rot.
Seeing as you wouldn't have any use for your organs in death why not contribute to the many people that aren't yet dead and need them to live!
I also like to think that if there are enough organ donors, at a time where I or a loved one might need organs we'd be able to obtain them.
One of people's main worries with organ donation is that you won't get very good care because it's "good" or convenient for you to die. The truth is that no decent doctor/hospital staff would allow that to happen. Doctors have an oath that they take very seriously. They will do what's best for their patient. Also most organ donations only take place in case of brain death.
But sometimes brain death is inevitable and that's when organ donation comes into play. I know for a fact that there are very strict policies in place to determine if a patient is brain dead and thus fit to donate. My father in law is a neurosurgeon and he's often called on to diagnose brain death. It's only after careful consideration that they decide if you're an eligible donor or not.
In terms of religious concerns, I am in no place to judge religions that ban it but I know for a fact many religions allow it and even encourage it as an act of charity. I know my religion, Catholicism, encourages it. I found a website that lists religions and their stance on organ donation. http://www.transplantforlife.org/miracles/religion.html
And most of all, I think the biggest thing that motivates me to be an organ donor is that among all the loss and grief, my death will have purpose and give someone happiness and health.
I think the best argument for is that you won't need your organs in the afterlife. When we die we basically lose all claims to everything in the world of the living. It has no consequence because we can't take anything with us in death.
In more realistic and not metaphysical terms, it's because they will go to waste. Decomposition is inevitable and so your organs will just rot.
Seeing as you wouldn't have any use for your organs in death why not contribute to the many people that aren't yet dead and need them to live!
I also like to think that if there are enough organ donors, at a time where I or a loved one might need organs we'd be able to obtain them.
One of people's main worries with organ donation is that you won't get very good care because it's "good" or convenient for you to die. The truth is that no decent doctor/hospital staff would allow that to happen. Doctors have an oath that they take very seriously. They will do what's best for their patient. Also most organ donations only take place in case of brain death.
But sometimes brain death is inevitable and that's when organ donation comes into play. I know for a fact that there are very strict policies in place to determine if a patient is brain dead and thus fit to donate. My father in law is a neurosurgeon and he's often called on to diagnose brain death. It's only after careful consideration that they decide if you're an eligible donor or not.
In terms of religious concerns, I am in no place to judge religions that ban it but I know for a fact many religions allow it and even encourage it as an act of charity. I know my religion, Catholicism, encourages it. I found a website that lists religions and their stance on organ donation. http://www.transplantforlife.org/miracles/religion.html
And most of all, I think the biggest thing that motivates me to be an organ donor is that among all the loss and grief, my death will have purpose and give someone happiness and health.
source(s):
http://www.organdonor.gov/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath
http://www.organdonor.gov/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath
I am an organ donor and encourage all my family and friends to do so as well.I chose to become an organ donor so that I can be a contribution, in any way I possibly can, to another person or medical research after my time here is done. It was a no brainer decision which accompanied my choice to be cremated after my usefulness as a donor is over. I have the choices indicated in my legal instructions for my family to follow. My parents were both Neptune Society prepaid members and we children who remained behind were so grateful for that decision and planning. I hope that being a designated organ donor will provide my antecedents the same peace of mind that my wishes are being followed, and that the ecology of the earth and the medical community has benefited from my passing.
I am a donor. If I cannot use my organs any longer I want to make damn sure that I can help as many other people who are needlessly suffering as possible. I can understand not being willing due to religious beliefs and feel that everyone has the right to choose. However, my personal decision did not even require a second thought.
I am not an organ donor. I will not be in the future as well.
Arguments for and against it
1)First and foremost---Whether one feel
a) should
b) want to
if you feel that 'you should donate to save lives or for research' means you are compelling yourself to donate. you will hesitate every time when the topic arises and if you find some disadvantages
if you feel that 'you (want to)/(like to) donate to save lives or for research' means your willingness has come naturally. Once decided, You'll never hesitate.
The reason I am not an organ donor is that I don't feel comfortable with it. I fall into the first category --- I only feel ' I should'.
2)
positive- It might save a life
negative- It might spread disease.
3)
positive- One who lends will be considered as a great helper by the recipient
negative- Many close relatives of the 'person who lends' might find it difficult either accepting it or going through the process after their death.
Arguments for and against it
1)First and foremost---Whether one feel
a) should
b) want to
if you feel that 'you should donate to save lives or for research' means you are compelling yourself to donate. you will hesitate every time when the topic arises and if you find some disadvantages
if you feel that 'you (want to)/(like to) donate to save lives or for research' means your willingness has come naturally. Once decided, You'll never hesitate.
The reason I am not an organ donor is that I don't feel comfortable with it. I fall into the first category --- I only feel ' I should'.
2)
positive- It might save a life
negative- It might spread disease.
3)
positive- One who lends will be considered as a great helper by the recipient
negative- Many close relatives of the 'person who lends' might find it difficult either accepting it or going through the process after their death.
source(s):
Personal opinion and observed few reactions of others before and after death.
Personal opinion and observed few reactions of others before and after death.
I like my state's current slogan for organ donation:
"Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here."
I am absolutely an organ donor! Once you have passed away, you will no longer benefit from the organs and tissue you leave behind. But I interact with real people with real lives and real families who benefit from them immensely.
I am an intensive care nurse and I cannot urge people strongly enough to seriously consider organ & tissue donation. I work in a regional burn center and regularly take care of people who would almost certainly not survive if someone hadn't agreed to donate (tissue in this case--skin). Because we are an intensive care unit we are also often involved in end of life decisions--connecting families and patients with our local organ donation organization. I have always been very impressed with their compassion for grieving families. There are no vultures waiting to swoop in.
Whether organs like kidneys, or tissue like skin or eyes (especially corneas) donating gives you the chance to save lives at the end of yours. Do it!
P.S. You CAN have an open casket funeral when you donate any organs. Just in case you've heard the myth that you can't.
"Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here."
I am absolutely an organ donor! Once you have passed away, you will no longer benefit from the organs and tissue you leave behind. But I interact with real people with real lives and real families who benefit from them immensely.
I am an intensive care nurse and I cannot urge people strongly enough to seriously consider organ & tissue donation. I work in a regional burn center and regularly take care of people who would almost certainly not survive if someone hadn't agreed to donate (tissue in this case--skin). Because we are an intensive care unit we are also often involved in end of life decisions--connecting families and patients with our local organ donation organization. I have always been very impressed with their compassion for grieving families. There are no vultures waiting to swoop in.
Whether organs like kidneys, or tissue like skin or eyes (especially corneas) donating gives you the chance to save lives at the end of yours. Do it!
P.S. You CAN have an open casket funeral when you donate any organs. Just in case you've heard the myth that you can't.
source(s):
Personal experience
Personal experience
That is an excellent saying. It's great to know that I could still have an open casket funeral.
I am an organ donor. I think it is the right thing to do, simply because it saves lives. I can go on about this and how it is for the better good. But I can't because I respect the fact that some people are just repulsed by the idea. It is a personal decision for each person and/or their family.
What I can tell you is that my grandfather died of lung cancer when I was a teenager, his body was ravaged by the disease. My grandmother donated his eyes. Around the time of the funeral, she was contacted and told that two people now could see that couldn't before. I thought that was the most wonderful thing in the world.
On a personal level, I just think that would be just a small bit of joy to lighten the misery of those left behind.
What I can tell you is that my grandfather died of lung cancer when I was a teenager, his body was ravaged by the disease. My grandmother donated his eyes. Around the time of the funeral, she was contacted and told that two people now could see that couldn't before. I thought that was the most wonderful thing in the world.
On a personal level, I just think that would be just a small bit of joy to lighten the misery of those left behind.
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