N-108 HEth Lecture 8: Organ Donation and Transplantation

Summary

This lecture delves into the ethical principles guiding human organ donation and transplantation, highlighting the historical development from the 19th century to the present. It emphasizes the importance of respecting human dignity, stewardship, and the integrity of the body. The discussion covers the challenges of organ rejection, the introduction of cyclosporine, and the ethical controversies surrounding organ trafficking. The lecture also outlines key bioethical principles, such as ensuring the donor's free and informed consent, and the just allocation of scarce organs. It concludes with insights from the Catholic Church on organ donation and the types of organ transplantation, including xenotransplantation.

Takeaways

• 📚 Organ transplantation was accepted as a treatment during the 19th and 20th centuries, with significant advancements in the field.
• 🏥 The U.S. Navy Tissue Bank, established in 1949, was a pioneering facility for tissue processing and storage, which also influenced the development of blood and sperm banks.
• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Joseph Murray performed the first successful kidney transplant in 1950s, and Dr. Christian Barnard conducted the first heart transplant in 1967.
• 🇵🇭 In the Philippines, Dr. Domingo T. Antonio performed the first successful kidney transplant in the 1960s.
• 🛡️ The immune system's rejection of foreign organs is a major challenge in transplantation, which was initially addressed by the introduction of cyclosporine in 1978.
• 🧬 Ethical controversies surround organ transplantation, with three key bioethical principles guiding decision-making: human dignity, stewardship and creativity, and totality and integrity.
• 💔 The principle of human dignity emphasizes that body parts should be treated with respect and not as economic commodities.
• 🌱 The principle of stewardship and creativity suggests that we do not have absolute dominion over our organs and should take care of them for the benefit of others.
• 🔍 The principle of totality and integrity calls for ensuring the overall well-being of both the donor and the recipient in organ transplantation.
• ⚖️ Organ transplantation raises legal and ethical issues, including the scarcity of organs, unclear laws, and the potential for organ trading and trafficking.
• 💼 The Catholic Church supports organ transplantation when conducted ethically and with morally irreproachable intentions, emphasizing respect for the body.

Q & A

What is the significance of the U.S. Navy Tissue Bank in the history of organ transplantation?

The U.S. Navy Tissue Bank, established in 1949, was significant as it was the first bone and tissue processing and storage facility in the USA, which laid the groundwork for future advancements in organ transplantation.

Who performed the first successful kidney transplant, and where did it take place?

Dr. Joseph Murray performed the first successful kidney transplant in Boston, Massachusetts during the 1950s.

What major ethical principle should be considered when discussing organ transplantation?

Three major bioethical principles should be considered: the principle of human dignity, the principle of stewardship and creativity, and the principle of totality and integrity.

What does the principle of human dignity entail in the context of organ transplantation?

The principle of human dignity requires that every part of the body should be treated with respect and not merely as an economic advantage or currency.

How does the principle of stewardship and creativity apply to organ donation?

The principle of stewardship and creativity emphasizes that we do not have absolute dominion over our organs; we are entrusted to take care of them and use them responsibly, not for personal gain.

What is the main concern regarding the rejection of transplanted organs by the host body?

The host body's immune system tends to reject any foreign organ that is not recognized, leading to a need for treatments like the introduction of cyclosporine in 1978 to combat organ rejection.

What are the implications of organ trafficking and how does it disrespect the body?

Organ trafficking disrespects the body by treating organs as mere commodities for trade, which violates the principles of human dignity and the ethical treatment of body parts.

According to the Catholic Church's teachings, what is the stance on organ transplantation?

The Catholic Church does not oppose organ transplantation as long as it is done with morally irreproachable intentions and respects the dignity and integrity of the human body.

What are some ethical guidelines for organ donation and transplantation mentioned in the script?

Some ethical guidelines include ensuring there is a serious need for the organ, maintaining the functional integrity of the donor, ensuring the donor's consent is free and informed, and selecting recipients justly without bias towards social class or status.

What does the Philippine law (Republic Act 7170) encourage regarding organ donation?

Republic Act 7170 encourages voluntary organ donation and specifies that organs can be harvested for transplantation from patients who are irreversibly brain dead or clinically dead, with proper consent.

What are the different types of organ transplantation mentioned in the script?

The script mentions auto-transplant (within the same individual), allo-transplant (from another person of the same species), and xeno-transplant (from one species to another, such as from pigs to humans).