Are Catholics generally for or against organ donations and research?

Answer 1

(Current) Pope Benedict XVI has been registered to be a donor since he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger:

RATZINGER:
"DONATION OF ORGANS IS AN ACT OF LOVE"
New Italian Law on Transplants: Cardinal is Donor

ROME, FEB 4 (ZENIT).- "To donate one's organs is an act of love that is morally licit, so long as it is free and spontaneous." With these words, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, confirmed the line of the Church on this matter, at a time when Italy has approved a law to facilitate organ donation and transplants. Just as in other European countries, the law approved yesterday in Italy presupposes a person is a potential donor unless opposition is specifically expressed; in other words, silence is permission.

Cardinal Ratzinger disclosed he is a member of an association of organ donors. "To spontaneously give parts of one's body to help someone in need is a great act of love..." the Cardinal affirmed.

Cardinal Ratzinger, Is it always morally licit to donate one's organs?

CARD. RATZINGER: It certainly is licit to participate spontaneously and in full awareness in the culture of transplants and the donation of organs in which we live. As for myself, I have agreed to give my organs to whomever might be in need.

Does this mean you are registered with an association of donors?

CARD. RATZINGER: Yes, I registered years ago and I always carry this document with me; in addition to personal data, it states that I offer my organs to help whomever is in need: it is simply an act of love.

What does it mean for a Christian to offer his own body for transplants?

CARD. RATZINGER: It means so many things. But, above all, it means -- I repeat -- to carry out an act of love toward someone in need, toward a brother in difficulty. It is a free act of love, of availability, that every person of good will can do at any time and for any brother. That is all.

Answer 2

The Catholic Church teaches that organ donation is an act of heroic charity- both for the donor and their family.

Having said that- it is imporatn to note that the church also teaches that it is wrong to deliberately end the life of a human being- even if it is to save/make better someone else's life, and the donor is going to die anyway. (that is why the church is against embryonic stem cell research- an embryo is a BABY, and adult stem cell research has shown promise- even cures...but no cures have come from ebryonic research yet!)

That the donor will die anyway is irrelevant- his/her life still has every bit of value as every other humans. As soon as we say that one person's life has less value than another, then ALL human life has less value.

Som, organ donation is allowed- but that donation cannot result in the death of the donor. Even so-called 'brain death' is a slippery slope- at what point do you say a brain is dead? Total lack of brain function? or is it only the higher brain?

Medical ethicists are still working on that one!

Answer 3

Catholics are generally for organ donations and research.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

Organ transplants are in conformity with the moral law if the physical and psychological dangers and risks incurred by the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient.

Donation of organs after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a manifestation of generous solidarity.

It is not morally acceptable if the donor or those who legitimately speak for him have not given their explicit consent.

Pope John Paul II's encyclical Evangelium Vitae states:
1. Organ and tissue donation is heroic and praiseworthy.
2. The donor must be dead before organs and tissue can be harvested.
3. The determination of death is left to medical experts.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I know of no official dogma of this practice. But the catechism states something to the effect that this can be a very noble thing to do. As a strong traditional Catholic, I would say that this is a great thing because it can help someone, and the Church helps more sick people than any religion worldwide.

Answer 5

The Catholic Church strongly supports organ donation, describing such acts as "noble" (Catechism of the Catholic Church). The Church also fully supports scientific/medical research that does not involve intrinsically immoral methods.

Answer 6

The Church agrees with the practice of both donation and research (leaving your body to science). Both are viewed as being benefit to the greater good.

Answer 7

Organ transplants are in conformity with the moral law if the physical and psychological dangers and risks to the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient. Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a expression of generous solidarity. It is not morally acceptable if the donor or his proxy has not given explicit consent. Moreover, it is not morally admissible to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons.

Scientific, medical, or psychological experiments on human individuals or groups can contribute to healing the sick and the advancement of public health.

Basic scientific research, as well as applied research, is a significant expression of man's dominion over creation. Science and technology are precious resources when placed at the service of man and promote his integral development for the benefit of all. By themselves however they cannot disclose the meaning of existence and of human progress. Science and technology are ordered to man, from whom they take their origin and development; hence they find in the person and in his moral values both evidence of their purpose and awareness of their limits.

It is an illusion to claim moral neutrality in scientific research and its applications. On the other hand, guiding principles cannot be inferred from simple technical efficiency, or from the usefulness accruing to some at the expense of others or, even worse, from prevailing ideologies. Science and technology by their very nature require unconditional respect for fundamental moral criteria. They must be at the service of the human person, of his inalienable rights, of his true and integral good, in conformity with the plan and the will of God.

Research or experimentation on the human being cannot legitimate acts that are in themselves contrary to the dignity of persons and to the moral law. The subjects' potential consent does not justify such acts. Experimentation on human beings is not morally legitimate if it exposes the subject's life or physical and psychological integrity to disproportionate or avoidable risks. Experimentation on human beings does not conform to the dignity of the person if it takes place without the informed consent of the subject or those who legitimately speak for him.

Answer 8

I just hope if I need an organ that is comes from a beliver because I dont want to go to heaven without my heart or lungs.

Answer 9

The religious wackos always seem to be against organ donors or stem cell research until they or their family are sick and in need of treatment. Then the 'ol perspective changes real quick.

Hypocritical bastards.

Answer 10

I have never heard of any restriction on this. My donor card says yes, I am sure God would understand.