I Father Benedict Guevin, O. S. B. Guest Lecture on Organ Donation
Catholic Church’s position is that it supports organ donations
Who can donate organs
Dead persons who have expressed desire to donate (organ donors)
Criterion – person must be dead based on results of EEG
EEG must be flat (no brain activity)
Person is subjected to one EEG for 15 minutes followed by second EEG, one hour later
Can not use other vital signs
Living persons with limitations (see concepts of Totality and Intergrity below)
Who can not donate organs
Anacephalic babies can not be used for donations
Anyone who has clearly stated NO donations and these wishes are respected by the relatives after death
Types of Donations
No limitations on type of organs that can be donated from cadaver
Deceased must be treated with respect
Deceased can also donate entire body to medical school
Deceased must be treated with respect
Surgical Removal
Surgery performed to save the life of the individual
Catholic Church’s guiding principles
Totality – individual can sacrifice body parts to protect whole person or other people to save their lives and there should be an effort to compensate for a donation or surgical removal (ex. – prosthetic limb)
Integrity – every effort must be made to preserve the integrity of the body because it is the 1) person, 2) temple for the Holy Spirit, 3) body for eternity, 4) body and soul unity
Example
Lose gangrenous hand to prevent spread of gangrene, save arm and body
Related topics
Some denominations do not permit certain donations
Jehovah’s witnesses
No blood transfusions, prevents salvation
Judaism
Kosher meats – remove blood to remove animal impurities
Plastic surgery
Not considered appropriate
Any surgery for vanity or self-exploitation
Breast enlargement to enhance one’s sexuality
Lip surgery replacement by celebrities to enhance their orofessional career
Considered appropriate
Breast reduction to avoid discomfort
Fix/repair disfigurement
Body piercing and tatoos
Acceptable as long as they don’t compromise the health of the body
Piercings for earrings are appropriate
Piercings for tongue, genitals are not safe (potential for infection)
Transgender operations
Not appropriate because they do not treat the psychological issues
Blackboard at Saint Anselm College
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