Myths & Truths of Organ Donation

Myth: If I am admitted to the hospital and they are aware that I have signed a donor card, I will not be treated as aggressively because of the need for organs.
Fact: The decision to sign a donor card will in no way affect the level of medical care for sick or injured person. The team of doctors and nurses involved in treating the patient is not involved with the transplant/recovery team, which is called in only after death has occurred or is imminent.

Myth: My religious beliefs prevent me from considering organ donation.
Fact: Major religions support organ donation. In fact, the Rabbinical Council of America has approved organ donation and Pope John Paul II referred to organ donation as an act of great love.

Myth: Organ transplants can be "bought" by the wealthy and powerful.
Fact: Organs are computer matched according to compatibility of donor and recipient tissues, determined by various tests, waiting time, and the medical need of the recipient. Social or financial data are not part of the computer database and, therefore, are not factors in the determination of who receives an organ.

Myth: The body is often mutilated to obtain organs and tissues.
Fact: There is no marring of the body during organ or tissue recovery. The organs and tissue are removed with dignity, in a sterile surgical procedure like that performed on a living patient.

Myth: If a person donates his organs or tissue, a normal funeral service cannot be held. Fact: Funeral arrangements are not delayed by organ and/or tissue donation. If an unusual set of circumstances occurs and a slight delay is necessary, permission is sought from the family first. Additionally, since the body is not disfigured, a traditional, even open casket service is possible.

Myth: The donor's family has to pay for the recovery of organs.
Fact: There is never a charge to the family of the donor for organ recovery. All associated costs are paid by the organ procurement organization.

Myth: Transplants don't really work. They're just experimental.
Fact: Transplantation is regarded as standard medical practice for a constantly increasing number of conditions. Survival rates are impressive. The one-year survival rate of kidney transplant recipients is almost 97 percent; and for liver recipients, more than 81 percent.

Religious Views

AME & AME Zion - Organ and tissue donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love and charity by these denominations. They encourage all members to support donation as a way of helping others.

Amish - Will consent to transplantation if they know that it is for the health and welfare of the recipient. They would be reluctant to donate their organs if the outcome was known to be questionable; however, nothing in the Amish understanding of the Bible forbids them from using modern medical services.

Baptists - Organ and tissue donation is advocated as an act of charity. In 1988, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution supporting donation as a way to alleviate suffering and have compassion for the needs of others.

Buddhists - Believe that organ and tissue donation is a matter of individual conscience.

Catholics - View organ donation as an act of charity, fraternal love and self sacrifice. Transplants are ethically and morally acceptable to the Vatican.

The Church of Christ Scientist - Takes no specific position on transplants or organ donation as distinct from other medical or surgical procedures. Church members usually rely on spiritual rather than medical means of healing. They are free to choose the form of medical treatment they desire, including organ transplantation. The decision of organ donation is left to the individual.

Hindus - Are not prohibited by religious law from donating, it is considered an individual decision.

Jehovah's Witnesses - Do not encourage organ donation, but believe it is a matter for individual conscience according to the Watch Tower and Tract Society, the legal corporation for the religion. The group does not oppose donating or receiving organs, however, all organs and tissue must be completely drained of blood before transplantation.

Judaism - Teaches that saving a human life takes precedence over maintaining the sanctity of the human body.

Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) - Are not prohibited by religious law from donating their organs or receiving transplants, according to church leaders. The decision is a personal one.

Mennonites - Have no prohibition against organ donation and transplantation in the Mennonite faith. Church officials state such decisions are individual ones.

The Moslem Religious Council - Initially rejected organ donation by followers of Islam in 1983, but it has since reversed its position provided that donors consent in writing in advance. The organs and tissues of Moslem donors must be transplanted immediately and not be stored in organ banks.

Protestantism - Also encourages and endorses organ donation. Protestants respect the individual's conscience and a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body.

Quakers - Do not oppose organ donation and transplantation. The decision, they say, is an individual one.

Seventh-Day Adventists - Officials have stated organ donation and transplantation to be acceptable practices for members. The decision is an individual one.

Information provided by the American Council on Transplantation.