The Theological-Ethical Dimension of Organ Transplantation in the Context of Contemporary Discussions

Abstract

Organ transplantations are not only a highly complex and challenging matter from a medical point of view; they also raise extensive ethical questions. This has to do with the fact that the procedure of transplanting organs between individuals requires two separate processes—donating and receiving –, which both have to be arranged by the institutions that are responsible for each respective process. In other words, curing or relieving one human being’s suffering depends on another human being giving up a part of his body and donating it to the recipient (directly in the case of a living donation, and anonymously in the case of a post mortem donation). This raises such questions as to what extent the body is a part of our ego (self) or also then becomes the ego of the other person. In addition, the question is raised whom our body belongs to and what can we accept and also expect from others. In conclusion, how should we handle the transplanted part that belonged to a stranger so that it becomes a part of us and that we can then consider our own? These are all questions that mainly concern the recipient.