Organismal death, the dead-donor rule and the ethics of vital organ procurement

Journal article


Symons, Xavier and Chua, Reginald Mary. (2018). Organismal death, the dead-donor rule and the ethics of vital organ procurement. Journal of Medical Ethics. 44(12), pp. 868-871. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2018-104796
AuthorsSymons, Xavier and Chua, Reginald Mary
Abstract

Several bioethicists have recently discussed the complexity of defining human death, and considered in particular how our definition of death affects our understanding of the ethics of vital organ procurement. In this brief paper, we challenge the mainstream medical definition of human death—namely, that death is equivalent to total brain failure—and argue with Nair-Collins and Miller that integrated biological functions can continue even after total brain failure has occurred. We discuss the implications of Nair-Collins and Miller’s argument and suggest that it may be necessary to look for alternative biological markers that reliably indicate the death of a human being. We reject the suggestion that we should abandon the dead-donor criteria for organ donation. Rather than weaken the ethical standards for vital organ procurement, it may be necessary to make them more demanding. The aim of this paper is not to justify the dead donor rule. Rather, we aim to explore the perspective of those who agree with critiques of the whole brain and cardiopulmonary definitions of death but yet disagree with the proposal that we should abandon the dead-donor rule. We will consider what those who want to retain the dead-donor rule must argue in light of Nair-Collins and Miller’s critique.

Year2018
JournalJournal of Medical Ethics
Journal citation44 (12), pp. 868-871
PublisherBMJ Publishing Group
ISSN0306-6800
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2018-104796
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85057095369
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range868-871
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online19 Jun 2018
Publication process dates
Accepted31 May 2018
Deposited27 Oct 2021
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