Abstract
Organ Donation is one of the issues that has attracted elicit debate in the world today. There are proponents who support the practice. They consider it as a source of improvement of the eminence of life. Moreover, they claim that its saves one from death. On the other hand, there is a group of people who oppose. The claim that organ donation goes against the principles of their religion. It also poses multiple threats to both the victim and the donor. Moreover, organ trafficking emanates from it. While every side gives supporting point, the resultant effect or organ donation to the modern society is real. Scientists are also embracing technology that supports the practice. The following paper argues that organ donation has many benefits to the society.
Keywords: organ donation, donor, trafficking
Organ Donation
Would you donate your organ to a dying patient today? It is a question that remains answered I n the hearts of many people. In essence, the subject of organ transplant has become prevalent in the world today (Jiang, Bresnahan & Mahler., 2010). It is because; there are variable patients who are in hospital for a medical issue that require transplantation of organs. In essence, such people experience failure of one of the body functions. For example, there are those whose organs fail to work and are on the verge of death. On the other hand, there are those who to require better organs to live a healthy life. Mostly, they are victims of accidents and ailments. Nevertheless, there has been a controversial debate on the benefits of organ transplant. There are people who believe that the medical action is viable. They cite the diverse benefits that the process brings. However, there are opponents who do support the course. The truth however embeds itself in the number of people who have benefited from organ transplant.
The following paper discusses the diverse views that the society holds in organ donation. It depicts the advantages of organ donation compared to the limitations
Organ transplant is a medical practice where a volunteer gives his organ to another person who requires it for proper functioning. It started due to the number of people that were coming to the hospital with diverse conditions. Medical research reveals that some appendages of the body could be transplanted to the ailing patient. However, there were a lot of aspects involved. For example, the patient requires an adjustment of his antibody in order to accept the organ. In other words, one had to look for a viable donor before any transplantation could take place. There are also victims who suffered from transplantation of non-matching organ.
Technology has also been vital to the success of the process. In the past, the society held a condemnatory attitude towards the process. Moreover, most organ donation takes place when a person has died. However, there are some organs that are obtainable when somebody is still alive. Some of the internal organs that one gives include the kidney, the heart, and the liver. Skin, bones, and cornea are also viable for donation. Nevertheless, there has been an increase in tolerance towards the practice.
There are numerous advantages to the concept of organ donation. First and foremost, those who support it believe it saves the life of the patient who is dying due to poor body functioning (Mediplus, 2014). For example, there are patient whose kidney no longer working because of viral infection. In other words, the appendage cannot carry-out its function of elimination of waste products.
Consequently, such patients undergo dialysis in order to save their lives. Nevertheless, there are instances where dialysis does not help. The patient may need a new kidney in order to live healthily. In fact, there are patients who spend close to two years depending on it for the removal of waste. Organ donation becomes very instrumental in such cases. NHS. (2014) says
“By donating your organs after you die, you will help save and transform the lives of desperately ill people. Each donor is precious as only around 5,000 people each year in the UK die in circumstances where they can become a donor. So if you want to make a real difference join the and talk about your donation decision with family and friends. Letting them know what you’ve decided now makes it much easier for them to support your decision to be a donor”.
The patient, through the assistances of the family, can look for a willing donor. The donor, however, must match his genetic requirements. Upon proper verification, the donor goes through an extensive operation to remove the kidney. The acquired kidney is consequently transplanted to the sick person. Nevertheless, the patient remains under medication for the rest of his life to prevent antigen-antibody reaction of the ‘strange’ limb. It is apparent that the practice is vital to the society. It has led to the reduction of the mortality rate in most countries. For example; there are humanitarian programs that support those who would desire to give out their organs. In fact, they carry out a public campaign that encourages people to register as donors. The result is that they can adequately handle hospital crisis of patients who come in with desperate conditions.
The second benefit of organ donation is that it helps in improving the quality life of a living patient. The proponents seek to counter the myths about death. (Mayo Clinic, 2014) They argue that when a person dies, his body became useless. In fact, there are families that choose to bury while other cremate the bodies. A person who dies has ceased to live. Consequently, his organs can be harvested and given to the living. It helps in solving the present crisis. In their view, it gives a sick person a second chance to live.
In the US, there are 10 to 12 citizens who die out of lack of organs (Bartz, 2003). Moreover, close to 3000 new patient are admitted into the program daily. The practice also helps in cutting down the financial burden that a family has in keeping a sick person in the hospital. Needless to say, the donor also finds fulfillment is seeing another person live. The donor families have also noted that the activity assists them during the grieving period. In essence, they emphasize that while it does not take away the pain, it gives them assurance that they did the best they could do their relative while he was alive. It is a heroic act that such society upholds.
However, there are people who have opposed the issue of organ donation. They cite various ethical issues surrounding the subject.
First and foremost, organ donation is viewed as a risky venture. In fact, there are myths that have come up to support the point.
People are usually discouraged that when one donates one of his organs then there is high likely hood of him losing his life as well (Childress, 2001). The myth further cites that the person cannot operate like he used. Consequently, people have shunned off the process. It is why in some countries there are campaigns that are ongoing in order to encourage the public to take part in the donating their part of their bodies. Moreover, they offer incentives to such people. For example, when an individual contributes an organ, he becomes a member of the program. However, there have been numerous efforts by medical experts to show that donating an organ is safe. In fact, they have illustrated that one can carry out his normal life without changes.
Organ trafficking is a central occurrence that people who oppose give many reasons for their stand. It is a situation where people illegally obtain and sell vital body organs to desperate patients. For example, there are people who go to the extent of kidnapping live people and harness the part of interest. It is apparent that the trends have been rampant both in developing and western nations. A Case where someone is discovered dead but without some parts of the body continue to occur. Consequently, those who oppose believe that it is the practice of donation that has created erosion of such moral values in the society. It is unreasonable for an individual to die for a wrong motive. Moreover, trafficking has become a booming business. They are people who depend on the trade for their livelihood.
There have been efforts to deal with organ trafficking in most countries. For example, most people are encouraged to give written wills on the desire they have in relation to their bodies. In case, they wish to give out appendages, they must carefully outline it (De Castro, 2003). There are also avenues that allow family to make decisions on behalf of their dead victims. While the government of most countries has also tried to curb the issue, the increasing demand for organ compromises. For example, the government of Australia has set out measures to limit it (Australian Government, 2014)
Acute rejection is another occurrence that people who condemn the practice elaborate. It is a process where the body of the recipient refuses to accept the organ transplanted. Consequently, it reacts against it. The effects are detrimental to the life of the victim. Such patients are usually required to take medications to prevent the transplant from rejecting it. However, these drugs have shown tremendous side effects such as tremor, sleeplessness, weight gain among others. Moreover, these drugs also pose as risk factors for one developing diseases such as skin cancer and high blood pressure. Needless to say, recipients are encouraged to use sun blocks.
The role of religion in organ donation is critical. It is important to clarify that every person has a higher being to whom he ascribes life events. There are some religions that have adversely criticized the concept of organ transplant. For example, the ‘Jehova witness’ community does not acknowledge organ transplant and blood transfusion. They bring out an argument that only God has the mandate to create and sustain life. In their view, organ donation is human efforts towards sustaining life. It is against their belief and tradition. They believe that a person ought to die when his time. People, who belong to the group, therefore, do not donate their organs. Moreover, their family members who fall ill are not liable for organ transplant. Nevertheless, this religion fails to give an answer to the role of man in God’s creation. It is apparent that God created man, Moreover, any knowledge that man has emanates from God. Refusing organ donation is, consequently, a debatable theology that the church ought to study deeply.
The same people also go to the hospital for medication. One would expect that they also refrain from it. Evidently, the position of religion in regard to the topic is impactful.
From the discussion, it is evident that organ donation remains a controversial issue in the world today. There are proponents and opponents of the subject. Those who support say that the practice saves the lives of millions of people. It gives them an opportunity to live again. They also cite that it improves the quality of life of an individual. In essence, people can lead a comfortable life after donation. Consequently, it is critical in this time. The few setbacks can be adequately handled. Moreover, there are technical skills and anti-rejection medication that makes the process realistic. It is, therefore, evident that organ donation has many benefits compared to its setback.