Slate posted this article, initially explaining the myriad (traditional) Jewish positions on organ donation, but dealing with the possible thought processes the rabbis in NJ recently busted for all kinds of stuff--including dealing in black market organ donation--might have had. That is, in their minds, they may have thought they were saving lives (and if they benefited, what's the harm?).
The best point in the whole article comes from Rabbi Michael Broyde of Emory University: "The real question is, Why is there a shortage? Why do people go out and buy kidneys? Because they desperately need kidneys and there aren't any," he says matter-of-factly. "There's no black market for feces," he adds. "There's no black market for things that nobody wants."
Another reason we as Jews should leave aside so-called taboos and 'prohibitions' against organ donation and take up the cause, knowing that it will save lives.
My mother's life was saved by a liver transplant. Unfortunately she died two weeks later from an infection at the graft site. But, that did not take away from the gift of life by the donator and his/her family. Please fill out the organ donation form and tell your family of your wishes! The gift of life is definitely a mitzvah! :-)
ReplyDeleteHow do you find the time to locate and read all this 'stuff'? I'm retired and can barely keep up with the NYTimes, the local paper, TV news, books I'm reading, and my hobbies :-)
ReplyDeleteYa know, I ask myself the same question, Fred. :)
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