Think about it!

In your opinion, if you were in serious need of an organ donation, would you accept or even want an organ from a death row inmate? I have been discussing the arguments of both sides of whether or not death row inmates should be accepted to donate their organs, but the real question may be would the person receiving the transplant even want an organ from them. Another serious issue could be when finding and matching a transplant would the person receiving the organ need to know who the transplant is coming from? Typically in a normal situation regarding organ transplants the receivers typically know where they are coming from, but should the death row inmate be able to reveal themselves? These questions may sound greedy and picky, but put yourself in the situation (although it is a terrible situation), would you or would you not accept the organ?

Organ Donation vs. Execution

I recently found an article that discusses the topic of whether or not organ donation of a death row inmate should replace the form of execution. The researcher suggests that, "The anesthetizing of the condemned and the recovery of organs in the usual manner would produce optimum organs for transplantation. However, the cross-clamping the aorta and the ensuing cardiectomy, followed by the disconnection of the ventilator, create an unacceptable situation for the organ recovery team." (http://www.joefalco.com/findings/fdoc0007.html). Do you truly think this process should be allowed and condemned in order to replace execution? The researcher goes on to suggest that individuals in opposition to the death penalty might object to accepting an organ from either an executed prisoner or a prisoner who traded their organ for their life. What do you think you would do if you were placed in this position? Is an organ an organ? or does it lose meaning when you find out the source of where the organ came from?

The other side of the spectrum...

Throughout my discussions, I have been primarily focused on the concern with allowing death row inmates to donate their organs, but what are the discussions on the other side of the argument. Many resources suggest that death row inmates have possibly affected or infected their organs with drugs, smoking, etc. and shouldn't even be considered for organ donation. Not only should they not be considered, but who would want someone with bad organs to be inside of their own body replacing their own organs. Another issue is that organ donation is an extremely long process revolving around finding the right match and making sure the entire process runs smoothly. This process is not only timely, but expensive. Therefore, many perhaps think that a death row inmate organ donation is worth too much time and money to even be considered for an organ donation.
The thought process between the two sides both poses very valid arguments, but in your opinion what side to you think is more ethical?

Should a new law be passed?

In my opinion, society has let this issue fall behind, when this issue is a very important subject matter that needs to be settled. Citizens are dying because they can not get organ donations fast enough since so many people are in need of an organ. If a law was regulated that allowed every inmate to donate their organs, there would be more organs to donate which would lead to less deaths that could be prevented.

I understand that there are numerous other important issues going on in society today, but this issue hasn't been completely cleared and reoccurs every time someone wants or needs an organ from an inmate. If we could clear the issue and pass the law, there would be less court cases, less deaths, and more organs for society.

Therefore, I feel that the issue needs to be presented and have the citizens and government aware, that there is an issue at hand that needs to be regulated.

What do "they say"?

It is never easy for everyone to fully understand and agree on a subject matter, especially when it is an important and rather serious matter. When it comes to the death penalty, there are many different views and beliefs. Organ donation is a technology that has become very helpful and widely used in order to save lives. When it comes to conversing about the subject, there is no question about whether or not it should be legal. Everyone is so appreciative and accepting to having organs donated and even placed inside their body to save a life or their bodies. So why should this be any different for an inmate on death row?

When it comes to the argument of whether or not death row inmates should be aloud to donate their organs, the subject turns completely controversial, when normally the subject is without question beneficial and accepted. There are many different viewpoints and beliefs when it comes to the subject and everyone's story is different. In the article above this post, there are many different view points and stories relating to why the subject matter should be accepted or not. Some argue that organ donation is extremely expensive, so why waste it on an inmate. Whereas others argue the other side that is why should society let a perfectly good organ go to waste, when it can easily save a person's life.

One viewpoint that I strongly disagree with is the governments. The government has not firmly decided whether or not organ donation should be accepted. They allow some cases to accept an organ donation, such as a family member, but they do not allow other cases to accept a donation. The way the laws are set up when regulating donations is confusing and not accurate or totally fair.

All and all, there are many different viewpoints on the subject matter, and the law for the death row inmates donations needs to be firmly established

Post #3

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4100/is_200512/ai_n15957675/?tag=content;col1

This hyperlink above discusses the arguments revolving around the discussions on death row inmates and organ donations. Jay Baruch argues throughout his entire article the reasons why death row inmates and just organ donations in general should be allowed throughout the United States. Baruch states that over 79,000 patients in the United States await an organ transplant, and over 3,000 new patients are added to the waiting list each month. These numbers are outrageous. There are over 2 million prisoners in the United States prisons and jails just awaiting as potential donors. Many people may find it offensive, and that they can not get over the fact of where and who the organ donors came from, but should that make our societies
policy?

Baruch states, "These questions might seem trivial to people who will die without an organ transplant, offensive to people who consider body parts their personal property which should be marketable if desired, and unnecessary to people who point to the laws that prohibit such activity." He along with many other sources relate to the fact that there are many on going arguments relating to this topic, but in his view point why let a perfectly affective working organ donation go to waist. All and all, his facts, comparisons, and opinions may make an effect on people view points when regarding and analyzing the topic itself. 

The Death Penalty

A topic that has been extremely debatable that I also find extremely interesting is the Death Penalty, but more importantly revolving around the specific rules that are to be followed by the death row inmates. My subject matter question is: Why death row inmates SHOULD be allowed to donate organs.

In many states, it is frowned upon for a death row inmate to donate any type of organ to anyone for any reason, but in my opinion, why would you let a perfectly good organ go to waste that could potentially save someone else's life. My subject is very interesting and debatable among everyone, and there are also many cases in the past that have dealt with this subject matter in both a positive and negative way. Therefore, I look forward to researching more of this subject matter and debating the topic as well.