Please make 3 comments in the following 3 peers where you have to: make a minimum of one short paragraph. Whether you agree or disagree, explain why with supporting evidence and concepts from the readings or a related experience. Include a reference, link, or citation when appropriate. Be aware of grammar and stay on topic.
This was the question about the Organ Donation. And based in that question my peer wrote about it.
writing about your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes toward organ and tissue donation. What life experiences (e.g., knowing someone who has received a transplant) and/or factors have influenced your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes toward organ and tissue donation? If someone were to ask you how you feel about organ donation, how would you respond?
Do you feel that organ donation should be mandatory - law? Discuss the pros and cons of making such policy. Also think about the following questions: Should it be required for specific people? Should all people be counseled on it as they get older or if they wind up in the hospital? Make sure, along with your personal opinions, that you also synthesize specific information from the text with the additional information on organ donation into your post.
Peer -1: Organ Donation.
Student Name: Sheva
I do not know of anyone personally who received a life-saving organ donation, but my father received a cornea transplant many years ago, and although it wasn't a life-saving organ donation it nonetheless was crucial for the function of his eye. I think that organ and tissue donations are obviously a generous gift that expects nothing in return. I was surprised to learn that about 50% of families of organ donors refuse to allow the donations after their loved one has passed (Mason, 2011), although given that statistic I guess it's not surprising that people have a hard time discussing organ donations with their families. I could understand it being a very touchy subject, because people might feel that they are losing more of their loved, even though the very opposite would likely be true, in that their body part would continue to live on in a way, in someone else. I think that thought alone might deter families, as it might be too difficult or surreal or upsetting to contemplate.
In my religion organ donation is only permissible if it directly and immediately saves someone's life. Without getting into too much detail, this is mainly because we believe that the body is a sacred and holy entity which must be revered and respected after death, and we have many laws for how that must take place (a person must be buried completely intact, within a short period of time, among other things). Any desecration of the body would be horrible, and to remove part of the body, or even make one unnecessary cut, would not be allowed. Because donated organs could be used for research purposes it is therefore difficult to list oneself as an organ donor, because research is not directly and immediately saving a person's life. Directed donations which are specified to go to specific people are a different story as they would be saving a person's life.
I understand the significant and dire need for organ donations, but I do not believe that organ donation should be mandatory by law. I think that a person has rights over his or her own body, and I think that those rights should not and do not end when a person dies. Making organ donation mandatory disregards certain people's personal, ethical or religious beliefs. Even putting that aside, I think that taking away people's personal rights like that could lead to a slippery slope - it wouldn't be that farfetched to then make certain treatments or procedures mandatory for certain illnesses (or not allow treatments for certain people). I cannot think of one population in which organ donations should be required. I do definitely think, however, that doctors or medical professionals in certain settings should offer counseling or advice regarding organ donation if it is wanted, so that people can make an informed decision - they might have preconceived notions or fears that could be allayed.
Reference: Mason, M.G. (2011). Adulthood and Aging. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
PEER- 2: Organ Donation.
Student Name: Ellen
In the beginning of this chapter on dying, death and bereavement the author notes that everyone knows about death, but many choose not to discuss it, and this chapter may make many people uncomfortable. I think that applies to many of us regarding death and donating our organs after death also. According to the chapter nearly three-quarters of adults are willing to be organ donors, yet at the time of death their families refuse to proceed with the donation. Mason States, "of those situations where the person who died had indicated on their driver's license they would like to donate organs, approximately half the time the family refuses" (2011). This is unfortunate because according to the additional sources that were posted more than 100,000 people are on the national organ transplant waiting list and of those 19 die each day while waiting for an organ transplant.
While I understand that family may want to not donate their loved ones organs because of personal, religious or other reasons I do think that all people, regardless of age should be counseled about the benefits of organ donation. However, I do think that when individuals are approaching older age and/ or in hospitals they should have counseling about the benefits of organ donation.
Personally I am a registered organ donor, so I would agree with a mandatory- law regarding organ donation, but with different cultures, religions and practices, a law like that would probably never be passed. My grandmother has recently received a donor cornea transplant and now most of my family members are also considering registering to become an organ donor. However, I think that most people do not really consider being an organ donor until they, or a loved one needs an organ transplant. I think many individuals have fears about donating their organs after they die thinking that if they are an organ donor someone "may let them die instead or reviving them"- I have heard this one specifically from family members. Also, some families may feel like the bodies of their loved ones is being used "for science" and some cultures may even think that the body after death should not be mutilated. In conclusion I think that if someone wants to donate their organs after death they should speak with their families about it. I think it is important for the families to understand their dying wishes and it would make it easier for medical authorities, so they are not put in a position to either honor the wishes of the person who is dying verses the grieving family.
PEER- 3: Organ & Tissue Donation
Student Name: Rollin
During my last visit to motor vehicles when I needed to get a new driver's license, I hesitated when asked if I wanted to be an organ donor. The feeling was of distant fear, which was made all the more strange because I really believe in the importance and immediacy of organ donation. And perhaps that is why I hesitated, because the fear isn't of dying, it is from a doctors decision on a potentially close to death patient if there is persistent knowledge of someone in need of a vital organ. The ethics are hard to quantify, it's more the seed planted in the subconscious of the doctor or healthcare worker that is frightening. These fears are pretty unwarranted, however, considering the doctors treating you most likely have no knowledge of the need for a donation. It's not like someone calls down to the ER in the morning and says "Hey, keep an eye out for a kidney today!"
When reading about organ donation with regard to advance directives (Mason, 2011) and how the family of a dying person can deny donation even if they have chosen to donate, is unnerving. That being said, refusing to check off the box to volunteer as an organ donor doesn't actually keep your organs from being harvested/transplanted when you pass away. My fiancé is an ER doctor, and when asked she said that the "organ vultures" come to check on the medical history and condition of recently deceased patients in the hospital and it doesn't matter if they are listed as a donor or not. However, she was pretty certain there is a protocol where they still need to contact a family member for permission.
So my feelings of guilt for choosing to not be an organ donor subsided a bit, now considering that it wasn't the penultimate snub that I felt it was at first. In a 2009 New York Times Wellness blog story, an online survey of 5,100 people is referenced - where 50% of the respondents stated concern that doctors would not try as hard to save them if they knew they were organ donors. I don't know how valid this is, but I thought it was interesting to find when searching about my own feelings.
Thinking about all of these things, I don't quite think organ donation should be mandatory law, but I think the need is high enough for creating increased awareness in potential donors. Ethically, however, I feel like the need for organ donors with relation to the statistic of the "19 people who die each day waiting" discussion should not be made to someone in hospital, elderly, or dying. "Oh hi, so you're possibly going to die soon, and I just wanted to remind you about how many people die each day because they didn't find an organ donor in time."
Reference:
Mason, M.G. (2011). Adulthood and Aging. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
Parker-Pope, T. (2009, April 16). The Reluctant Organ Donor. R
I need 1 page for the 3 peer's comments. Please write every comment under each name or just write it in a new page with the student's name of each.