Organ Donation

This is a resolution (G8) encouraging church members to donate organs, and tissues "where culturally acceptable" and legal. It really has not affect other than to advise people to be aware of this avenue of ministry. That is, if a person dies then that person can have organs donated to others who need them.

There was some spirited debate. Primarily the "for" crowd were people who had benefited, or had had family members benefit from organ donations. The "against" crowd were primarily people who were afraid this would encourage "harvesting" of organs. That is, it appears in some places people, children mostly, are killed just to harvest the organs for transplant purposes.

This was amended to include blood as well as organs. The vote on the amendment was close. I suspect the closeness of the vote on the amendment had to do with the fact that it was, in my opinion, poorly worded. The amended resolution passed overwhelmingly.

I am in favor of organ donations. When my mother died, my brother Charles made the statement that when he died he wanted all the organs parceled out, that is, everything that could be used. He even made a statement to the affect that whats left should be buried at sea in a manner such that the fish could get a good meal. Although I don't know if I would use the same words he used, I think this fits my sentiments on the matter.