On Organ Transplant and Advanced Medical Directive
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June 17, 2009 - 21:51
Hi All,
Finally managed to click the correct button to post a new topic. These linger in my mind for quite some time, would be glad if anyone who knows the Church's stand on these 2 issues to enlighten me.
1) Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA)
Think applicable to Singaporeans >21 yo: Organs of the dead can be taken unless prior objection has been made by opting out. Remember one Sister said the body doesnt belong to us so we cant make that decision to 'donate' the organs when we are dead?
2) Advanced Medical Directive (AMD)
Right or wrong?: A person signs a legal document in advance to indicate that he does not wish to have any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to prolong his life in the event if he becomes terminally ill and unconscious.
Are Catholics allow to donate organs in event of death or sign the AMD?
June 19, 2009 - 14:09
#2
From the Church
for no 1) You can read up this from catholic culture website:
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=1147&CFID=840...
I think the church is cautious about no 2) so that it won't be used for euthanasia. Can read up more at:
http://www.ncbcenter.org/eol.asp
Conclusion
The prospect of intractable pain may be frightening, but such extreme distress rarely occurs. The physician almost always can minimize or eliminate the pain that may accompany terminal illness. Most people, in fact, die peaceful deaths. Although it is certainly preferable to die in a conscious state of prayer, no one should feel obliged to forgo medications and pain relief even though they may bring about disorientation or produce unconsciousness. The Church does not oblige the Catholic to forgo medical treatment for pain even when such treatment may deprive the patient of full consciousness or indirectly shorten life. This is an application of the principle of double-effect (see glossary). The Church asks only that appropriate conditions exist before such medication be taken.
June 20, 2009 - 23:02
#3
Talking abt AMD
Hm... some patients request 'do not resuscitate (DNR)' in the event the patients stopped breathing. I am not sure if this comes under AMD but i supposed it is alright to ask for DNR right?
In short both is yes.
For 1), it's a good deed. Nothing says that you will need organs to go to heaven. hehe
For 2), the key word is extraordinary. Because we are all taught that our life is a gift from God and is to be treasured. We should not be backing down from suffering we have in life even during terminal illness. These suffering are the crosses in life and can be used for great things (as evident in life of saints and apostles).
This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections. - St. Augustine.