Organ transplantation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the donor) and placing it in another person (the recipient) to replace a damaged or missing organ. Transplantation has become a life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure, allowing recipients to live fuller and healthier lives. However, some religions have restrictions or prohibitions against organ donation and transplantation. These objections are usually based on beliefs about the necessity of preserving the integrity of the body, the concept of life after death, and concerns about respecting the dead.
Religions that Prohibit Organ Transplantation
While most major religions support organ donation as an act of charity, there are a few that do not allow it due to theological reasons:
Shinto
In Shinto, the Japanese indigenous religion, organ transplantation is not allowed because it is believed that injuring a dead body disrespects the dead person’s spirit. The religion teaches that the dead body is impure and should remain intact. Removing organs is seen as polluting to the deceased person.
Gypsies
Some Gypsy groups also prohibit organ donation. They have strong beliefs about the wholeness of the body and human remains must remain intact for the soul to properly move on to the afterlife. Autopsies and organ donation interfere with this process.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that organ transplantation amounts to cannibalism. Taking organs from the dead violates their interpretation of Bible passages that the body must be treated with respect and be resurrected intact. They also refuse blood transfusions based on biblical passages.
However, the decision to donate or receive an organ transplant is ultimately up to each follower’s individual choice. The church does not mandate or prohibit organ transplants.
Religions that Allow Organ Donation But Have Restrictions
Some faiths allow organ transplantation in principle but have certain qualifications around it:
Amish
The Amish consent to organ donation only after death has occurred and if the procedure does not disfigure the body. Autopsies are typically not permitted as it is believed the body should remain intact. But organ donation is seen as an act of charity if done respectfully after death.
Hindus
Hindus support organ donation as a matter of individual conscience. But important principles include non-violence and detachment from the physical body. The organs cannot be removed until the recipient is ready and the body must be treated respectfully. Receiving or donating organs should not harm others.
Muslims
Muslims believe organ donation is an act of merit and charity. But it must be done voluntarily without harming the donor. The body cannot be cremated afterwards and must be buried intact as much as possible. Brain death must be certified before organs are removed. There are differences among Muslim scholars regarding brain death criteria.
Religions Supportive of Organ Donation
Most major faiths approve of organ transplantation as a life-saving act of compassion. These include:
Christianity
Christianity has no prohibition against organ donation. All major Christian denominations support organ and tissue donation as an act of love and self-sacrifice. They believe it is a noble way to show charity to others in need.
| Denomination | View on Organ Donation |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholicism | Supports organ donation as an act of charity |
| Eastern Orthodox | Believes organ donation is consistent with biblical teachings to love others |
| Protestant | Agrees organ and tissue donation is appropriate |
Judaism
In Judaism, saving a human life is of utmost importance. Organ donation is considered a moral obligation if it will save someone’s life. All branches of Judaism encourage organ donation. The body must be treated respectfully during removal of organs.
Buddhism
Buddhists believe organ donation is a matter of individual conscience. But most agree it is admirable to donate organs to save lives. However, beliefs about death and the afterlife vary. In some cases, organs can only be retrieved after death whereas other traditions allow brain death as the determining factor.
Religious Objections to Brain Death Criteria
A major consideration around organ transplantation for some faiths is the concept of brain death. Most religions use cardiac death to determine that the soul has departed the body. With modern technology, organs can now be kept viable in brain dead patients who still have heart beat and circulation with life support. However, some faith groups disagree that brain death defines death:
Orthodox Jews
Some Orthodox Jewish rabbis argue that cardiac death must be present before organs can be retrieved. They do not accept brain stem death as actual death. Removing organs from a patient who still has a beating heart goes against their belief that the soul leaves the body only when the heart stops.
Some Buddhist Traditions
Similar to Orthodox Jews, some Japanese Buddhist monks believe death only occurs with heart stoppage. They argue that only cardiac death, not brain death, should be the standard for determining that someone has died and organ donation is permissible.
Islam
Under Islamic law, most scholars agree that brain death criteria are acceptable provided brain function is thoroughly and irreversibly lost. However, some conservative Muslims argue that cardiac death must occur before organs are removed for transplantation.
Ethical Concerns Regarding Organ Transplant Tourism
Organ transplant tourism poses ethical issues for some faiths. Due to limited availability of organs in many countries, some patients travel abroad to purchase organs illegally.
Ethical Issues
- Exploits poor populations who sell their organs
- No guarantee donors gave consent freely
- Unethical black market for human organs
- Only the wealthy can afford medical tourism for paid organs
Religious Views
Most religions oppose organ tourism to obtain paid organ donations unethically. It goes against beliefs about:
- Respecting human dignity
- Valuing life above materialism
- Altruism and charity in organ donation
However, some faiths like Judaism and Islam may permit the sale of organs under highly regulated systems if it saves lives when no other organs are available. But in general, profiting from organ trade is widely condemned.
Conclusion
Most religions support organ transplantation as a life-saving medical practice and ethical act of charity. However, a minority prohibit it due to beliefs that it violates the sanctity and wholeness of the human body. Religions that do allow organ donation may have additional requirements around consent, death determination, and respectful treatment of the body before and after organs are retrieved for transplantation. Understanding different religious perspectives provides greater awareness around sensitivities regarding organ donation and transplantation.