I strongly believe that people should volunteer for organ and body donation. Although most people do not like to think about death and dying, making a decision as soon as possible about what one wants to do with their body after death can help save the lives of other people. Organ and body donations are approved by most major religions. They are also important for medical science, medical and dental teaching, university research and transplants.
According to the International Association for Organ Donation, over 83,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ or tissue transplant. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also estimates that each day 70 people receive organ transplants and another 16 people who are on waiting lists die because of the shortage of organs and willing donors. Additionally, donating one’s body to science can help with research to control or cure many major diseases for the brain, the heart and lungs, hearing loss, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, kidney disease, cancers and many others.
Unfortunately, there are many myths and fears about organ transplants and body donation that prevent more people from helping. One of the most common concerns is that people believe that doctors will not try to save their life if they know the patient is a willing organ donor. Transplant surgeons are only called when all efforts to save a person’s life have been completed and the patient is dead. Some people are also concerned that organ donation benefits White, rich or famous people more than people who are poor or of color. However, donations are based on a variety of factors including blood and tissue typing, medical urgency, organ size, waiting time on the transplant list and geographic location.
Other myths include being too old, having one’s family charged for the transplant surgeries, having one’s organs sold, or being disfigured by the surgery. Doctors consider whether or not organs are in good condition so people who are older can also have healthy hearts and kidneys and other tissues. Federal law also prohibits buying and selling organs. Violators can go to prison and pay fines for violating the law. Organ removal is also conducted like any other surgery so incisions are closed and people can have open casket funeral services as they wish. When bodies are donated for medical, dental or scientific research, memorial services are held after death and the body is presented to the school or organization. Arrangements can also be made for the body to be returned to the family for burial or cremation even after 1 or 2 years. Alternatively, the schools or organizations cremate or bury the bodies on behalf of the families. In some cases, because the cost of burial can cost thousands of dollars, giving the body to an organization can reduce final expenses for some families.
Some people also believe that the only way to offer organ donation is when they are dead. People can live with only one kidney and sometimes choose to give an organ to someone they know who really needs one – in their family, their community or for a special or personal cause. People can also donate bone marrow to help people with leukemia or other serious blood disorders when they are alive. Although kidney donation has some surgical and personal risks that are common to any surgery, bone marrow transplants are lower risk and not painful because of anesthesia. Another myth is that brain death is reversible, but it is not.
Another concern is that many religions forbid organ or body donation. However, for most religions, organ transplant and body donation is viewed as a personal act of charity, personal choice and conscience to serve the welfare of others. In a few cases, such as the Islamic faith, organ donation is allowed if consent is provided in writing in advance (e.g., through a living will). Body donation is also acceptable to most major religions except those who are Greek Orthodox, Shinto and Gypsies. The American Red Cross publishes guidelines on organ donations for most religions for reference.
Having enough organs to help all the people who are on waiting lists is part of the solution of helping the very sick. The other part of the solution is making sure that there is enough good treatment for people who are very sick so there is less need for transplants and organs. This is why the donation of bodies for research and medical science is so important. It is also important that more people take care of themselves over their lifetime by eating well, exercising and not smoking so they do not get diseases that cause their organs to fail too soon.
In summary, I think it is very important for people to seriously consider offering their organs for transplant in case they should suffer an accident that causes death or to offer their bodies for research when they die of any cause. Our organs can help save the lives of other people who are suffering.For exemple in most third world countries, a lot of people died not because the last call for their life arrived but because of the lack and almost the inexistance of boby parts to help the ones that needed. Our bodies, after death, can contribute to the development of scientific and medical knowledge that can help improve treatment for serious illnesses and injuries. Medical students must know our human anatomy. Dissection and inspection of the human body is the most helpful way for students to learn how to be good doctors and surgeons. Finally, almost all religions support the gift of organs and bodies for the benefit of saving other lives. People may feel uncomfortable, even vain, about how their bodies are managed after death, but our feelings will no longer be relevant...only our intentions to help others.My last advice for every single person is to become an organ donor and to contribute strongly in any way possible to sign the back of their licenses as to donate their organes in case they die from accident. additionally,I suggest to write a "living wills" that inform doctors and family members about their choices if they die.
References:
American Red Cross. (2001). Tissue donation: statements from various religions. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/donate/tissue/relgstmt.html, on 11/06/04.
International Association for Organ Donation. (2004). Newsroom. Retrieved from http://www.iaod.org/newsroom-press-releases.htm on 11/08/04.
Intermountain Donor Services. (2004). The ohio study in light of national data and clinical experience. Kennedy Inst. Ethics J., 14(3): 235-40.
U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2004). Organ donation. Retrieved from http://www.organdonor.gov, on 11/08/04.
Why do people donate their bodies? (2004). Retrieved November 12, 2004, from http://www.resnet.trinity.edu/tshinoha/