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?