|
KMID : 1011120210140030001
|
|
Bioethics Policy Studies
2021 Volume.14 No. 3 p.1 ~ p.23
|
|
|
A Critique of and a Suggestion for Dignity of Brain-Dead Donors
|
|
Lee Dong-Kun
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
While organ donation from brain dead donors has been implemented since year 2000, it is necessary for us to promote dignity of brain-dead donors from various perspectives. Organ donation from brain-dead donors according to the raises a number of issues which may undermine dignity of brain-dead donors. This article proposes ways to improve dignity of brain-dead donors overlooked during the legislative process of the Act. Since Korean domestic criminal law recognizes cardiac death but not brain death, a brain-dead person is legally not a dead person but medically a dead person. The Act implemented with this contradiction approves legal determination procedure of brain death under the condition of organ donation, which diminishes a purpose of determination of brain death to obtaining organs from brain dead donors. According to the Act, organ donation is an obligation to get a legal determination procedure of brain death. If a legal determination of brain death would proceed regardless of organ donation, organ donation can be understood as a right for brain dead donors and their families. Only if organ donation is a right for organ donors, the altruistic decision of brain-dead donors would exercise their dignity. In addition, the Act does not approve organ donation of brain-dead persons with registration of organ donation, if her/his family guardians do not allow organ donation. This provision infringes their life-time right of decision for brain dead donors based on their altruistic decision. A minor amendment of the Act is necessary to improve dignity of brain-dead donors. First and foremost, determination of brain death needs to be conducted regardless of organ donation. And second, it is necessary to protect life-time right of decision for brain dead donors. In addition to an amendment of the Act, professionals engaged in the medical service involved in organ donation could improve dignity of brain-dead donors by upgrading quality of communication with brain dead donor families to give empathic consideration.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
brain death, legal determination of brain death, organ donation, Internal Organs, Etc. Transplantation Act, Organ Transplantation Act, dignity
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|
|