Ethical Considerations in Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation as a new medical problem and one of medical important achievements is regarded to be a token for the upgradation and capabilities of medical centers. Though the phenomenon of brain death and, consequently, the possibility for organ transplantation has led to new hopes for saving a great numbers of sick people, it has been followed by many ethical, cultural and legal rights. This paper has intended to survey some of the current problems in the field with regard to the views of those in agreement and those in disagreement. The important of human life and the necessity for protecting it as a religious duty in the view of Islam from one hand and the weight given to new scientific findings necessary for human life by Islamic teaching from the other, would provoke us to know medical progress in full agreement with shariah. Trying to remove the obstacles and difficulties in the way of organ transplantation, particularly with regard to the emphasis made by Islamic ethics on decreasing the expenses of caring the sicks of brain death and causing hope in the sick in need for transplantation, would prevent immoral and unlawful measures of profiteers.