Organ Transplants and Religion
We just learned about organ transplants in class and the reasons we may choose to one day, donate our organs. Although we may have a say in what we choose to do in regards to organ donation, some may not, as their religion prohibits such. But, why would a religion be against organ transplants? Doesn’t it do good by helping those in need?
Organ transplantation is defined as moving an organ from one body to another to replace the recipient’s damaged or absent organs.
Organs that can be donated include:
- the heart
- kidneys
- liver
- lungs
- pancreas
- intestine
- thymus
Tissues that can be donated include:
- bones
- tendons
- cornea
- skin
- heart valves
- nerves
- veins
Of course, these possibilities come with certain limitations. Donors can be living, brain dead, or dead due to circulatory death. Only certain organs can be donated when alive, including one of two kidneys, part of a lung, and the liver.
So, how does religion have to do with organ transplantation?
Different religions have different views on organ donation. In most cases, these views are positive, yet there are certain religious views against this. One of the religions that advise against organ transplants is Jehovah’s Witness.
Because of the Jehovah’s Witness’ beliefs against blood transfusion, many are against organ donations, although there is no specific mention of it. But, a religious statement from the 1960’s stated that “When men of science conclude that this normal process will no longer work and they suggest removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human, this is simply a shortcut. Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others.”
Although there is no specific religious law against organ transplants, due to the views on blood transfusion, blood must be removed from the organs and tissues being transplanted.
Sources:
greater risk of their child developing an aggressive behavior.
n reasons as to why human taxidermy is not ideal is due to the effects it would have on our skin. When the skin is preserved, human skin is known to discolour quickly. When preserving animal skin, this is typically not a problem as most animals have fur or feathers to cover the discolouration of the skin underneath. Human skin also becomes uneasy to work with as it becomes stiffer than animal skin. A taxidermist would have to use different tools, such as paints in order to make a taxidermied person look human. Because the idea behind taxidermy is to make a deceased animal look lifelike, this is process would not be ideal. This makes the process of human taxidermy difficult.
Bio Blog 