Some moral problems associated with human transplants

Abstract

This paper is an abridged version of the St. Luke's Day lecture delivered to the Malta Branch of the British Medical Association on the 18th October 1972 at the Medical School of the University. When dealing with the moral aspects of transplants one has to think of a double operation, that by which the tissue or organ is taken from one person, and that by which it is grafted on to another: hence we should consider both the receiver and the donor. The crucial problem is how to be certain that the donor is dead, because if he is not, even though his state is hopeless and it is certain that he would die very soon, an excision made upon him which terminates his life is murder. The case of transplants from human beings who are still alive raises greater problems. If what is taken from the donor destroys or substantially impairs the biological functionality of the organism, provoking death, then or later, the excision is not morally allowed. Further views by theologians regarding excisions and mutilations are also outlined, delineating Papal statements and pronouncements.