Did you know that one organ donor can save and improve the quality of life of up to 10 other people?
Please share your opinion about organ donation here with others. You can ask the question/s that you've always wondered about here as we've got "Doctor Kelly" to answer your question/s.
Cheers
Michael
Do you know how to become a donater in Australia,specifically in QLD?
ReplyDeleteEvery Australian has the opportunity to register their decision to donate organs and tissues for transplantation on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR). Queenslanders can no longer record their intent to donate on their drivers licence. Therefore it is very important that you register your decision to donate (or not donate) on AODR.
Registration brochures are available through every Medicare office or by telephoning the toll free number 1800 777 203.
You can visit the website to download at registration form from the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Selling or buying organs is illegal in Australia.
ReplyDeleteNEWS IN BRIEF
$50,000 for a kidney
Wide-spread media coverage hit the papers and airwaves in early May, after Canberra nephrologist Dr Gavin Carney suggested a solution to the current organ donation shortage in Australia could be to allow young healthy Australians to sell a kidney for $50,000.
But Dr Carney’s suggestion was not supported by the wider donation and transplant sectors or the Federal Government.
Across the media the proposal was rejected by leading organ and transplantation groups, who highlighted the potential exploitation of the poor and desperate and risks for donors and recipients.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDonating an organ is allowed in Islam.
ReplyDelete"Whosoever saves the life of one person it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind."
Holy Qur'an, chapter 5 vs. 32
Islam has allowed the use of the body organs of a person who has died in an accident, if the necessity requires the use of any organ to cure a patient.
It is important to note that most of the jurists have only allowed the donation of the organs. They do not allow the sale of human organs.
Their position is that the sale of human organs violates the rules of the dignity and honor of the human being, and so it would be haram in that case.
Should you tell your family about organ donation or not?
ReplyDeleteDiscuss organ donation with your family
Many opportunities for organ donation are missed because the person who died had not told their family they wished to be an organ and tissue donor. You should:
Think about your attitudes to organ and tissue donation well before any crisis or tragedy
Talk about the issues with your family
Tell your family of your decision.
If you are not on the register, organ donation may still be discussed with your family after you die. But it will be hard for them to make a decision if they don’t know your wishes.
Religious Beliefs and Organ Donation
ReplyDeleteAdapted from: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Organ_Donation/Religious_Beliefs_and_Donation/index.aspx viewed on 16th July 2009
Buddhism
Donation: Individual choice/matter of conscience Transplantation: Individual choice/matter of conscience
Discussion: Buddhists believe that organ and tissue donation is depended on individual choice. Many families refuse to give permission to donate if they don’t know their loved ones wanted to do it. So it is important to let your family know if you want to be a donor. However the Tibetan Buddhists believe that consciousness remains in the body for three days, so the body cannot be touched. The Mahayanist Buddhists believe that even though one has stopped breathing at the time of death, consciousness may remain in the body for up to 3 years, depending on the individual's karma. If however, one is involved in a fatal car accident, then they believe that consciousness abruptly and instantly leaves the body at the time of death.
Catholic Church
Donation: Acceptable Transplantation: Acceptable
Discussion: Catholic Church believe that donating one's organs is an act of love, an offer from the donors or their closest relatives base on free and spontaneous decisions. They are happy to
. We should rejoice that medicine, in its service of life has found in organ transplantation a new way of serving the human family". (Pope John Paul II in an address to the Society of Organ Sharing, Rome, 20 June, 1991.) "I am confident that social, political and educational leaders will renew their commitment to fostering a genuine culture of generosity and solidarity. There is a need to instil in people's hearts, especially in the hearts of the young, a genuine and deep appreciation of the need for brotherly love, a love that can find expression in the decision to become an organ donor." (Address of John Paul II to the 18th International Congress of the Transplantation Society, August 2000).
Gypsies
Donation: Generally opposed Transplantation: Generally opposed
Discussion: Gypsies are a people of different ethnic groups without a formalized religion. Gypsies believe that for one year after a person dies, the soul retraces its steps. All of the parts of the body must be intact because the soul maintains a physical shape.
Hinduism
Donation: Acceptable Transplantation: Acceptable
Discussion: The Hindu religion is based on the "Law of Karma" and reincarnation. The soul lives forever, is immortal and gets reborn in a new physical form. This act is an individual decision. HL Trivedi, in Transplantation Proceedings, stated that, "Hindu mythology has stories in which the parts of the human body are used for the benefit of other humans and society. There is nothing in the Hindu religion indicating that parts of humans, dead or alive, cannot be used to alleviate the suffering of other humans."
Islam/Muslim
Donation: Acceptable Transplantation: Acceptable
Discussion: In 1983, the Moslem Religious Council initially rejected organ donation by followers of Islam, but it hasreversed its position, provided donors consent in writing prior to death. The organs of Moslem donors must be transplanted immediately. The religion strongly believes in the principle of saving human life. The majority of the Moslem scholars belonging to various schools of Islamic Law have invoked the principle of priority of saving lives and have permitted organ transplants as a necessity to procure that noble end. Organ donation and organ transplantation are allowed in Islam in the case of necessity. "Islam has a great concern and respect for human life and promotes the preservation and prolongation of such life. In this respect, organ donation has become acceptable to most jurists and is practiced in many Muslim countries." It should be noted that Muslims are not a homogenous group and that diversity of opinion exists but the majority of Muslims would subscribe to this particular view.
Organ donation in Australia
ReplyDeleteAustralian organ donation has climbed to its highest level since transplants began in Australia in the 1960s. Donations jumped by nearly a third last year, with 259 people giving their organs in 2008, compared to 198 the year before. The increase spells good news for many people on waiting lists for critical operations.
Frequent questions about
ReplyDeleteOrgan donation
Who will have profits from organ and tissue donation?
Body tissue and transplanted organs helping to save and improve lives. Those on waiting lists may need:
• Kidneys, heart, liver or pancreas
• Corneal grafts to restore failing eyesight
• Bone, when bone grafting is necessary
• Heart valves for use in heart surgery.
• Skin to treat serious burns
At any time thousands of Australians could help to several hundred of people at risk of dying.
What organs and tissues can I donate?
A number of donate organs include:
• Liver and kidneys
• Lungs and heart
• Pancreas.
Body tissues include:
• Bone and skin
• Heart valves
• Corneas from your eyes.
Will I really be dead?
You must be declared dead before your organs and body tissues can be used. There are two definitions of death in Australia:
1. Irreversible cardiac death - the heart stops forever and blood stops circulating through your body.
2. Irreversible brain death - the brain stops forever. A number of tests are used to determine whether you are in a coma (you are unconscious, but the brain may heal) or if your brain has irreversibly stopped working. Two senior doctors not involved in transplantation will carry out these tests.
3. What happens after I die?
Removal of organs and body tissues is not different to any other operation. Remember:
• You will feel no discomfort
• Your body will not be disfigured
• The operations are performed by highly skilled, senior surgeons
Some other religious point of views
ReplyDeleteAdapted from: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Organ_Donation/Religious_Beliefs_and_Donation/index.aspx, viewd on 16th July 2009
Judaism
Donation: Individual decision Transplantation: Individual decision
Discussion: In principle Judaism broadly supports and encourages donation. According to Orthodox, "if one is in the position to donate an organ to save another life, it's obligatory to do so, even if the donor never knows who the beneficiary will be". The basic principle of Jewish ethics - "the infinite worth of the human being" - also includes donation of corneas, since eyesight restoration is considered a life-saving operation. In 1991, the Rabbinical Council (Orthodox) approved organ donations as permissible, even required, from brain-dead patients. Orthodox Judaism views each case of donation as an issue to be determined by a Rabbinical Court on its merits. Both the Reform and conservative movements also have policy statements strongly supporting donation. The valve of pikuach nefesh (the saving of life) which is at the core of organ donation is a principle shared by the entire community, regardless of denominational affiliation. In Judaism, there is no prohibitation against organ donation. On the contrary, there is a positive commandment - "Thou shalt not stand idly by" - to save the life of another person. Although Jewish burials must take place as quickly as possible, this must take a back seat to saving a life (pikuach nefesh) in the event or organ donation. Judaism draws a distinction in the case of donation organs and tissues in order to save a life. The saving of a life is the most important of human activities, this is an over-riding principle. Given the complicated issues, and the number of factors that need to be taken into account, it would always be advisable for the parties involved to speak to their Rabbi if circumstances permit.
LutheranChurch
Donation: Individual decision Transplantation: Individual decision
Discussion: The Lutheran Church does not oppose organ or tissue donation. The church believes that the decision to donate one's organs and/or tissues should be left up to the individual.
Maori
Donation: Individual decision Transplantation: Individual decision
Discussion: Maori people must be treated as individuals. Some will think traditionally, others will reject tradition, but the majority will lie somewhere in between. The most important consideration is that full discussion and consultation be carried out with the family and members of their land.
Protestant
Donation: Individual decision Transplantation: Individual decision
Discussion: Protestants encourage and endorse organ donation. The Protestant faith respects an individual's conscience and a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body. Rev James W Rassbach of the Board of Communication Services, Missouri-Synod, says "We accept and believe that our Lord Jesus Christ came to give life and came to give it in an abundance. Organ donations enable more abundant life, alleviate pain and suffering and are an expression of love in times of tragedy."
comes from:http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/services/aodr/index.jsp
ReplyDeleteWhy donate organs and tissue?
For many Australians with life-threatening or serious illnesses, organ or tissue transplantation can mean a second chance at life, or an improved quality of life. More than 30,000 Australians have received transplants in the last 60 years, and improved survival rates now mean that most recipients of organs or tissue can look forward to long and active lives.
By registering to become an organ donor you could be making the greatest gift one human being can give another – the gift of life. Registering is the first crucial step.
Who can register on the Donor Register?
To ensure consent is legally valid, only people aged 18 years and over will be able to record their consent on the Donor Register. Registrations of intent will be accepted from people aged 16 and 17 years, but in these cases consent from families will still be needed for transplantation to take place.
Recording your decision on the Donor Register is voluntary, and individuals can limit their donation to only certain organs or tissue. The intending donor has complete choice over which organs and tissue they are prepared to donate.
thanks a lot for your information Michael. I try to do a research and add some more informatin here.
ReplyDelete