The Gift of a Life: Religion and Organ Donation

Organ donation is an act of individual will, but donorspersonal choice, they do feel that it is one of the
often ask the question - "Does my religion approve?"best deeds you can do for someone else.
Different religions often have different moral codes,On the other hand, there are religions that feel organ
practices, values, institutions, and rituals associateddonations should only go so far. If you are helping
with their beliefs. When it comes to organ donation,out another person for their well being, donating your
the majority of religions actually encourage organorgans is wonderful. However, some people feel that
donation. From Amish to Catholicism, they feel that itif you are donating your body to science, this is an
is a generous act of charity.entirely different ball game. By donating your body
One of the largest religions that welcomes organfor experiments, you are not helping someone else's
donation is the United Methodists. This church islife or saving a heart or a liver. In their opinion, it is
aware of the meaning behind donating your organs.certainly a fine line between what is right and what is
By allowing doctors to use your body parts ifwrong.
something were to happen to you, you could help aDonating your body to science may be controversial,
victim that is relying on organ transplant to give thembut still a great amount of religions believe that it is all
hope for a better future. Tthe good deed is not onlybased on personal choice. If you are fine with body
accepted but also encouraged by the church; thusdonation, you could end up saving lives in the long
they frequently encourage members to sign up forrun. By allowing doctors to use your body as an
donation.experiment for potential cures, medicines, and so
Other religions including Catholicism also feel thatforth, you could be saving the entire world from a
organ donation is an act of kindness. You are goinghazardous disease. The advance in medicines and
out of your way to change someone's entire life,medical research depend on the deep understanding
even if that means giving up part of your self. Inof our body. If organ donation for transplant saves
their eyes, it is a graceful and beautiful exchange,one life, whole body donation for science and medical
which only the giving will agree to. Although it is aresearch may save thousands in long run.