Here's a headline from a story on MSNBC: Killer's quest: Allow organ donation after execution. The convicted killer, in question, is Christian Longo. That name immediately rang a bell with me because I was living in Salem, Oregon, when the bodies of his wife and three young children were pulled from icy waters only about 2 hours south of where I lived.
Longo has founded an organization called GAVE (Gifts of Anatomical Value from Everyone). While he realizes he can't undue the horrific crime he committed, his death could mean continued life for several people. To facilitate this gift, Longo is lobbying lawmakers to replace the three drug cocktail used for lethal injunction -- it renders most of the organs unusable -- with a one drug option that leaves the organs in a condition hospitable for donations.
In the article from MSNBC, several people raised objections to this concept, but their objections were very vague. I'm not really sure what they are.
For me, this is a difficult issue. On the one hand, I am a staunch opponent to capital punishment. I think the death penalty is barbaric and little more than state-sanctioned pre-meditated murder.
On the other hand, if it exists despite my personal objections, then I don't understand why various people object to organ donations. If an inmate is willing to have his/her organs donated to facilitate continued life for someone else, what's the problem? It would provide something positive and beneficial from a decidedly negative and pain-inducing situation.
I often hear Christians say, in the face of a horrific crime or deadly natural disaster, that God has a plan and that something good will come out of something bad. Doesn't an idea of this nature fall within that sentiment?
I would be interested to hear what you readers think. Is there something I am not considering or are there points I'm overlooking? What sort of issues -- ethical or moral -- would death row inmate organ donation pose?
Longo has founded an organization called GAVE (Gifts of Anatomical Value from Everyone). While he realizes he can't undue the horrific crime he committed, his death could mean continued life for several people. To facilitate this gift, Longo is lobbying lawmakers to replace the three drug cocktail used for lethal injunction -- it renders most of the organs unusable -- with a one drug option that leaves the organs in a condition hospitable for donations.
In the article from MSNBC, several people raised objections to this concept, but their objections were very vague. I'm not really sure what they are.
For me, this is a difficult issue. On the one hand, I am a staunch opponent to capital punishment. I think the death penalty is barbaric and little more than state-sanctioned pre-meditated murder.
On the other hand, if it exists despite my personal objections, then I don't understand why various people object to organ donations. If an inmate is willing to have his/her organs donated to facilitate continued life for someone else, what's the problem? It would provide something positive and beneficial from a decidedly negative and pain-inducing situation.
I often hear Christians say, in the face of a horrific crime or deadly natural disaster, that God has a plan and that something good will come out of something bad. Doesn't an idea of this nature fall within that sentiment?
I would be interested to hear what you readers think. Is there something I am not considering or are there points I'm overlooking? What sort of issues -- ethical or moral -- would death row inmate organ donation pose?
Well, the Chinese have sort of turned it into an industry...no issues about drugs, the billable bullet doesn't have such effects.
ReplyDeleteSome people are still attached to their organs, so to speak, even after death. I have an organ donor DL, no concern about usuable parts "outliving" me.
Maybe some people wouldn't want the heart of a killer.
I was thinking about that. One way to deal with that situation would be to create a check box on a form. Ask people straight up at the beginning of the process if they would be willing to accept an organ from a death row inmate just executed.
ReplyDeleteMy 1984-bent brain can't help but fear the albeit unlikely slippery slope side of this becoming a great way to get those needed organs. I already hate that so many prisons are private, for-profit facilities. Incentive to keep 'em full. Ugh
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