When does life belong to the living?

• Autores: Robin Marantz Henig
• Localización: Scientific American, ISSN 0036-8733, Vol. 303, Nº. 3, 2010, págs. 50-55
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The article discusses organ transplanting and ethical issues associated with declaring that an organ donor is dead. The article indicates that rules apply to waiting periods that must be recognized before donor organs are removed after death. This practice introduces a risk that organs may decay and become unusable, a factor that has led bioethicists to contemplate the initiation of transplant surgery before a donor's death. The ethics of heroic medical intervention and life support are discussed. Definition of the onset of death is said to be an urgent policy need.