Should Organs Be Taken From The Dead Without Prior
             Written Consent Of The Deceased Or Consent Of The Family?
             Within the last few decades, one of the most amazing medical advances has been the ability to give organ transplants (Newkirk 11). Gary Newkirk states in Modern Medicine that "these medical events are a bittersweet experience, since in many instances someone's untimely death facilitates the survival of someone else"(Newkirk 11). The Pope John Paul II says organ donation is "a genuine act of love" (Century 947). Ten different religious leaders at the Ottawa headquarters of the Kidney Foundation in Canada, all signed an organ donor card (CMJ 1338). Rabbi Reuven Bulka says "We want to escalate this to the point where it's not even a choice-it is a duty of the individual"(CMJ 1338).
             Currently, there are 62,000 individuals on a national waiting list for organ transplants of various types (Newkirk 11). Four people are added to this organ waiting list every hour, however, 12 people who are already on this list will die daily while waiting for a transplant (Newkirk 11). Many Americans claim they would gladly donate their family members organs if they knew that this was something their family member wanted (Newkirk 11). However, more than 75% of American's don't know if their family member is a registered donor (Newkirk 11). When confronted, roughly 50% will allow removal of their family member's organs (Newkirk 11). The key words here are "when confronted". It says in Lancet that studies have showed health care workers do not like to confront the family during this tragic time with such a request (2085). The organ donation question must be asked immediately following the death, because time is a major player (Perry 38). Major organs, like the heart and lungs, need to be removed from the body with 4-6 hours after death (Perry 38). Other organs, like th...