Organ Donation Principle Theory

Organ donation is when one person donates an organ or tissue to another person in need. Organ donation has been known to save lives although there are psychological and medical risks involved for the donor and the recipient. According to Scaria Kanniyakonil, a teacher of moral theology in India, "The practice of living organ donation and transplantation gives rise to many serious medical, psychological, emotional, social, legal and ethical issues."

Principles of Organ Donation

• The principle of organ donation is a way one person can help another whether through obligation or self-decision. Organ donation can only be done with the consent of both the donor and the recipient. This helps ease the ethical debate involved around transplantation of living organs. As long as no harm is intentionally inflicted upon anyone in order to gain access to organ donation, then medical, moral and ethical issues are not merited.

Arguments Against Organ Donation

• Since organ donation involves a number or risks, particularly to the donor, there are several arguments against the principle involved. The recipient may receive organs that will gain him access to a prolonged and healthy life, whereas the donor bears the possible consequence of long-term effects depending on the type of organ donation performed, such as kidney and liver transplants. The donor must also bear the risk of the surgical procedure used for donation.

Types of Organ Donation

• Living donation is when a living person meets the criteria to donate healthy organs or tissues to another person. Organs can include kidneys, parts of the liver and even skin cells. Tissue donation includes blood and bone marrow, which the body can easily replace. A person's organs can also be donated when she dies. Donating an organ in the event of cardiac death or brain death may only be considered an option once the family has agreed to remove the person from life support.

Who Can Donate?

• A person who chooses to donate will undergo a full evaluation to determine the status of mental, emotional and physical health. According to the U.S. government's website providing information on organ and tissue donation and transplantation, "Generally, living donors should be physically fit, in good health, between the ages of 18 and 60, and not currently have or have had diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, kidney disease or heart disease."

Fast Facts About Organ Donation

• There are more than 100,000 people in need of organ transplants that could save their lives. A daily average of 18 people die due to the fact that they were unable to receive a transplant. According to Donate Life America, "Every 11 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list." The group also goes on to say, "In 2008, there were 7,984 deceased organ donors and 6,218 living organ donors resulting in 27,961 organ transplants."