Running head: ORGAN DONATION

Organ Donation Natalia Horning Bielousova Graina ENG 113 Academic Writing Block A April 26th, 2013

ORGAN DONATION

Abstract This paper explains and demonstrates the advantages of organ donation and why it should be done and promoted. It states three specific reasons why this act is positive. Giving organs is a great gift, not only for one person but it can affect many, by voluntarily offering a body for donation, this can help reduce the need of people searching for organs illegally and lastly by certifying that a person is a donor this can save the person in questions family from having to decide for the loved one after death, therefore taking the pressure off the familys shoulders to decide for them. There are also to opposing opinions when it comes to organ donation. Such as it is murder to take the organs of a person with only brain death because the body still functions and the idea that their religion does not allow organ donation. Both views are refuted and determined incorrect. Lastly organ donation is proclaimed to be a very positive and loving act that is done in order to save lives and there is no reason why it shouldnt be done. Keywords: organ donation, organ transplanting, brain death, waiting list, black market.

ORGAN DONATION

Organ Donation This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12-13). As the Bible says, giving a life for another is the best gift that can be given; therefore organ donation is essentially a gift of life to another person. Organ donation is needed when a person has damaged organs and they need a replacement. People have to go through a funnel in order to get a place on the list which naturally means that thousands of people are left out. Even though these criteria thin out the number of people on the list, it is still very extensive. In the most recent post on the database that contains all the national United States data on the candidate waiting list, there are nearly 97,000 people waiting only for a pancreas. All in all, there are currently 118,042 people on the organ donation waiting list and the number keeps on growing (Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, 2013). The number of organs and body parts that have been donated contrasts the number of people on the waiting list, this means that many lives pass away as they wait for the hopeful call that never comes. Sadly, the funnel has to be implemented because there are not even enough organs to supply for the people already on organ transplanting lists. If and opportunity arises where a life can be saved, even after death why not take it? The best reward for living is to give life to others; therefore organ donation is a timeless gift with immeasurable meaning. Since organ transplantation has become possible there has been a waiting list. As with everything, patience is essential but this list is different because time means life. The waiting list for organs is so extensive that it greatly outnumbers the amount of available organs. There are so many people excluded from this list because of the rigid criteria that determine if the person is qualified for organ transplantation. And if transplant centers were to relax their

ORGAN DONATION

standards to include more peoplesuch as the those who lack insurance, have severe intellectual disabilities, older persons, prisoners, illegal aliens, and foreigners who cannot get transplants in their own countriesthen the lists of those waiting could easily triple or quadruple. (Caplan, 2013). Giving organs is a great gift, not only for one person but it can affect many. By donating your organs after you die, you can save or improve as many as 50 lives (Mayo Clinic, 2010). This fact states that only one life can save more people after death than during life. If this fact is present in the mind of the family that loses a loved one they can feel comforted by the thought that the life of their loved one saved another and they could also possibly meet the people that their loved one saved and create a bond. This bond could help with coping with the passing of the person. But many times the loved one dies because of old age but this does not eliminate the possibility to donate organs. The myth that if the person is too old, organ donation is not possible is incorrect. Even though a loved one passes because of old age there are still parts that can save lives. According to the Australasian National Guidelines for Organ and Tissue Donation the liver and kidney can be donated up to 80 years (2008). This is very encouraging because one of the goals of humanity is to leave a legacy on this earth, so having the possibility to do this through organ donation is simply one of the most rewarding experiences that can be experienced. By voluntarily offering a body for donation, this can help reduce the need of people searching for organs illegally. The black market is growing because the price of organ transplanting is so costly. Because of the lack of organs, sometimes the black market becomes the only for the people who are on the waiting list to be able to find an organ at a more reasonable price. From an estimated U.S. average in 2011 only heart transplant reached the

ORGAN DONATION

surprising total of 997,700 dollars, $1,148,400 for a heart and lungs transplant, and the highest amount at $1,206,800 for an intestine transplant, the lowest price for a transplant is of a kidney at $262,900 (Transplant Living, 2013). On the other hand Barber states that A single donor body can provide the raw material to generate products selling for US$220,000 wholesale (2007) This is a lot cheaper and can seem like a great catch for a desperate family in need for an organ to save their loved one. This black market is highly illegal and has to be stopped because they are not only using bodies for selling to needy families but they use every part of it and sell it to scavenge as much money as possible. This is how despair becomes a reality; the lack of resources creates something dark and somber, like the black market. Something that is so rewarding and positive like giving a life for another becomes a wild goose chase against time, simply because there is not enough for everyone. By certifying that a person is a donor this can save the person in questions family from having to decide for the loved one after death. Most recently, state laws required hospitals to honor a patients donor card even when the family opposed donation. (Caplan 2010) This shows that a donor card can clarify what was wanted throughout the persons life and the family doesnt have to go through the turmoil of choosing and hoping that the wishes of the loved one were granted. When a family goes through the loss of a loved one of many things come into play. They have to think of what to do with the belongings, what to do with the money left behind and most importantly how to cope with the loss of someone that was close, if they also have to decide what to do with the body, that puts a very heavy weight on their shoulders. This kind of decision is something that a family would like to have some time to consider so that they could be just to the memory of the deceased, but when it comes to transplanting organs, time is of essence. Even though time is so important doctors and hospitals are considerate the

ORGAN DONATION

requestor ensures that the family acknowledges that their relative has died and time is given to the family to comprehend that information, BEFORE the request for donation occurs. (ACTA, 2008) A donor card makes everything easier and a lot simpler and gives the family comfort and peace of mind that they are complying with the loved ones wishes after death. Even though organ donation may seem logically correct there are opposing views such as is it murder to take the organs of a person with brain death? He or she was declared "brain dead" and operated upon to remove their heart while still in that condition. This killed the donor, but legally it was okay (Barber, 2007). Legally doctors are allowed to take the organs of a potential donor if they there is no brain activity. Organ donation cannot take place until death has been confirmed and authorization has been obtained. (ACTA, 2008). People argue that it is wrong to kill someone even though their brain has stopped; they say if the body is still functioning the person is still alive therefore taking their organs and making their hearts stop is unethical and wrong. On the other hand it is important to consider the fact that brain death is final Before brain death is declared, everything possible to save your loved ones life is done. After the diagnosis of brain death is made, there is no chance of recovery (National Kidney Foundation, 2007). Another fact that deters people from donating their organs is their religious beliefs. Many people believe that their religion might not allow organ donation. Donating your organs might imply desecrating the dead body. As stated by some people that have attended the Mayo Clinic Organ donation is against my religion. (2010) this is effect is a myth because the great majority of religious support and encourage organ donation. Most religions such as Buddism, Catholism, Islam, Judaism, Protestantism, Mormons and many more all approve organ donation

ORGAN DONATION

and promote it. As stated in the Minority Organ Donation Education Program , Most religions support organ and tissue donation as a charitable act of love and giving (MODEP, 1995). All in all, organ transplanting is a wonderful discovery that has managed to save thousands of lives and been a positive innovation in medical history. This procedure is such a positive innovation that it shouldnt cause so many doubts and problems when it comes to needing a transplant. Having a clear view and being informed about this topic is essential to choosing the right option, the choice that will be just and rewarding that and can be recommended to others. Being informed is always the first step to successfully convincing others about this life changing decision, the decision that one person can make to save another. As an anonymous poster on Maldon & Burnham Standard (2009) wrote I definitely will donate, they are no good to me when I'm dead so if they will help someone else I'll do it.

ORGAN DONATION

Bibliography Barber, N. (2007). The nasty side of organ transplanting (3rd ed.). Kensington, S. Aust.: Norm Barber. Caplan, A. (2013, April 22). Organ Transplantation. The Hastings Center. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http://www.thehastingscenter.org/Publications/BriefingBook/Detail.aspx?id=2198 Costs. (2013, January 1). Transplant Living. Retrieved April 18, 2013, from http://www.transplantliving.org/before-the-transplant/financing-a-transplant/the-costs/ Cunningham, A. (2008). National guidelines for organ and tissue donation(4th ed.). Sydney: ACTA. Data. (2013, April 5). OPTN: Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Retrieved April 14, 2013, from http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/ Kidney Foundation. (2007, January 1). Brain Death: A simple explanation. National Kidney Foundation. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from www.kidney.org/transplantation/donorFamilies/pdf/13-600620_FBB_Bro_BrainDeath%20Jun2011.pdf Mayo Clinic. (2010, April 3). Organ donation: Don't let these myths confuse you MayoClinic.com. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 22, 2013, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation/FL00077

ORGAN DONATION

Religious Views on Organ Donation and Transplantation. (1995).MODEP: Minority Organ Donation Education Program, Inc.. Retrieved April 26, 2013, from http://modep.buffalo.edu/info/religious_views.htm Organ Donation. (2013, January 25).Medline Plus. Retrieved April 18, 2013, fromhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/organdonation.html