When you hear the words organ donation euthanasia, you automatically
think about shady dealings where people are a commodity dying for their organs.
Well, it's not entirely like that but it does require someone's life
ending in order for another (or many others) to live. I think this topic
matters because globally we have a major shortage of donors and organ donation
through euthanasia could remedy this. Unfortunately, the demand far
outweighs the supply on organs. The majority of organ donation usually
comes from those individuals that have died from being involved in some type of
accident and have suffered from loss of brain function.
Organ donation euthanasia is a highly contentious subject and it wasn't until
my wonderful team member slipped me a link to an article that was so evidently
against euthanasia, that I could better understand the other side of the
argument. Smith (2016) says that while good doers like myself believe in
"dying with dignity," it's none other than just plain murder.
Many of the statements he said could have persuaded me to change my mind
and I totally get what he was getting at but for the record, he didn't...because
I believe that organ donation euthanasia is a very real solution to our world's
donation problems.
I totally get that, morally, people take issue with this topic.
Many believe that it's not natural for a person to die before their time,
let alone chose to give up what's left of their life in order to help someone
else live. While researching, myself, I came across some cases in which
Belgium and the Netherlands had performed euthanasia that made me almost change
my opinion because I didn't morally agree with the reasons. I personally
don't think being elderly and losing a partner is a good enough reason to want
to kill oneself via euthanasia. But I digress...
The real issues here are educating people about organ donation as well
as creating strict guidelines through sensitive ethical and cultural policies
so as to not endanger the vulnerable. My personal opinion is that
everyone is put on the donor register and you have to opt out. I think
this should be the first step in increasing donation numbers.
Smith,
W. (2016). Euthanasia by organ harvesting. First
Things. The Institute on Religion and Public Life.
7 comments:
Hey Marina,
Great job slipping in what you missed out on last week. It was smooth and done with class.
In my opinion, your topic is one of the most controversial on the list. It kind of reminds me of my "the family veto should be removed" topic, in the sense that it argues whether people should be able to make their own decision and take control of their own life (or death). I'm a big advocate for people being able to make their own decisions, but something about euthanasia just feels very big and beyond my moral compass - I would prefer to avoid having a clear opinion unless something required me to. There are still so many aspects of the human mind that are a mystery to us, so I don't think we're capable of deciding who is allowed to opt for euthanasia and who can't (yet). Something tells me a simple questionnaire doesn't cut the mustard.
The presumed consent is a pretty good option. Although if over half the country are undecided or don't want to be a donor, it could be an issue. Do you know how well presumed consent works in other countries?
Talk to you tonight!
Floyd
Thank Floyd
I do understand why you would want to avoid having a clear opinion, there are so many factors to consider. And while I am sensitive to cultural aspects, like in Jess' research, I keep coming back to the fact that they are dying anyway, they wont need their organs - why not do something for the betterment of someone else while you can. For me and my body, it's easy. If put in that situation with one of my loved ones, it would prove an extremely difficult decision and not one I would make lightly.
As far as the presumed consent option goes, Spain leads the way with apx 33.5% which is huge. Additionally, I have found a source that states that countries of religion have greater and more successful roles in increasing organ donation which is totally surprising after reading the sources I did for my assignment which said they didn't condone. Consequently, organ donation appears to be less about the legal side of things and rather social, cultural and operational factors. Everything I should have included in my blog but didn't.
Sorry for the long winded reply :(
Hi Marina,
I definitely agree that the most effective solution is an opt-out system. It seems like the easiest way to account for the large number of people that haven't bother to register/ understand they should.
I also agree that organ donation euthanasia isn't wrong but I can understand where other people are coming from. It raises difficult questions about the ethical principle in medicine of not harming a patient. It might be a good choice for assignment 2.
I'm glad the source I sent you was useful.
Have a happy holiday!
Hi Marina,
I tend to agree with Floyd on this one. Your topic is very confronting and something I find difficult to consider because there are so many unknowns. I get that they are mostly people who would die soon anyway but the line seems a little blurry and in a way it's similar to my topic, in that there would need to be a really clear understanding of where that line is so that it doesn't end up being pushed progressively further into a direction we'd rather not end up at.
Your post explains the importance of the topic well and is thought-provoking, making it memorable, in my opinion.
Cheers,
Michelle
Thanks Marina, very thoughtful blog this week. The idea of the opt-out system intrigues me and like i said to Michelle and have now seen you state the stats about Spains donation rates i think wow! maybe that system should be in place here. There would have to be much more awareness and education about it and of course we would encounter ethical issues but it would make people actually consider thinking about donation -before it;s too late and they have no choice.
So interesting! i'm glad this is one of our topics for the Assignment two!
The post is really great and it is very nice to read and getting information.
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