‘Donation after cardiac death’ links organ donation, right-to-die movement

October 07, 2011

For years, some Catholic ethicists have questioned the appropriateness of “brain death” as the defining factor in determining the moment of death. A “brain death” diagnosis can allow organ transplantation to take place while the heart is still beating.

MercatorNet has published an overview of the even more controversial “donation after cardiac death,” whereby organs are removed from patients who are not yet brain dead.

 

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Further information:

• Organ donation: crossing the line (MercatorNet)
• Vatican newspaper urges reconsideration of "brain death" (CWN, 9/3/08)