Organ and tissue donation

TDGee

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

Yeah..that seems like a reasonable argument.

Not really.

All were just seconds away from having their organs removed while they were still alive. All have recovered and are grateful some family member did what their doctors should have done: made absolutely certain they were dead.

No one is just seconds away from having their organs removed until the body is opened and the organs are exposed IN THE OPERATING ROOM. The procedure for removal of organs for donation is done exactly like any other surgical procedure. Family members and bystanders are not allowed in the operating theater. There are other aspects of the article from illinoisrighttolife that scream yellow journalism to me. It's like reading the National Enquirer. They never brought forth any supporting evidence that these people who were mere seconds away from having their organs removed actually recovered enough to live their lives. I'm not buying it.
They only cherry picked a snippet from the article in NEJM that supported their side. The article in NEJM appeared to be well thought out and appears to be merely stating that since the advancement of critical care medicine, the pronouncement of death is not as simple as it used to be.

One thing to consider if you are leaning towards this side is that once death has been pronounced, the fight to save the potential donor's life is over and the focus is on making the organs as viable for the transplantee as possible.

BondBomb

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

Yeah..that seems like a reasonable argument.

Not really.

All were just seconds away from having their organs removed while they were still alive. All have recovered and are grateful some family member did what their doctors should have done: made absolutely certain they were dead.

No one is just seconds away from having their organs removed until the body is opened and the organs are exposed IN THE OPERATING ROOM. The procedure for removal of organs for donation is done exactly like any other surgical procedure. Family members and bystanders are not allowed in the operating theater. There are other aspects of the article from illinoisrighttolife that scream yellow journalism to me. It's like reading the National Enquirer. They never brought forth any supporting evidence that these people who were mere seconds away from having their organs removed actually recovered enough to live their lives. I'm not buying it.
They only cherry picked a snippet from the article in NEJM that supported their side. The article in NEJM appeared to be well thought out and appears to be merely stating that since the advancement of critical care medicine, the pronouncement of death is not as simple as it used to be.

One thing to consider if you are leaning towards this side is that once death has been pronounced, the fight to save the potential donor's life is over and the focus is on making the organs as viable for the transplantee as possible.

Since you quoted me Im guessing you missed the sarcasm of the statement. Sorry next time I will insert eyeroll.

KimmyEB

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

Yeah..that seems like a reasonable argument.

Not really.

All were just seconds away from having their organs removed while they were still alive. All have recovered and are grateful some family member did what their doctors should have done: made absolutely certain they were dead.

No one is just seconds away from having their organs removed until the body is opened and the organs are exposed IN THE OPERATING ROOM. The procedure for removal of organs for donation is done exactly like any other surgical procedure. Family members and bystanders are not allowed in the operating theater. There are other aspects of the article from illinoisrighttolife that scream yellow journalism to me. It's like reading the National Enquirer. They never brought forth any supporting evidence that these people who were mere seconds away from having their organs removed actually recovered enough to live their lives. I'm not buying it.
They only cherry picked a snippet from the article in NEJM that supported their side. The article in NEJM appeared to be well thought out and appears to be merely stating that since the advancement of critical care medicine, the pronouncement of death is not as simple as it used to be.

One thing to consider if you are leaning towards this side is that once death has been pronounced, the fight to save the potential donor's life is over and the focus is on making the organs as viable for the transplantee as possible.

Since you quoted me Im guessing you missed the sarcasm of the statement. Sorry next time I will insert eyeroll.

LOL I understood it. I say you're fine!

Bonita_Lynne_58

I am signed up as an organ donor., but that's my choice and I believe everyone else can make their own choice. There is no right or wrong.

Agreed. I have signed the organ donor form and it's noted on my D.L. I have also talked to my family to make my wishes known to them as the family has final say here. Now as I age I may not be an acceptable donor...In this case I have no problem with my body being used by a med school. Whatever made me who I am is gone at that time..I will have no more use for my body and if in some way I can help others...Good! Everyone needs to make the decision that seems right to them.