The purpose of this article is to convey some understanding of Orthodox Jewish thought on organ donation and transplantation. This perspective is particularly important as practitioners become more culturally diverse and medical care becomes more globalized. The Jewish ethical position, found in the Compendium on Medical Ethics: Jewish Moral, Ethical and Religious Principles in Medical Practice, is described. Points of view for determining death in Jewish law as well as some halakic (Jewish law) issues for the donor and recipient are also indicated.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
FeldmanDMRosnerF, eds. Compendium on Medical Ethics: Jewish Moral, Ethical and Religious Principles in Medical Practice.6th ed.New York, NY: Federation of Jewish Philanthropies; 1984.
2.
GellmanM. On Immanuel Jakobovits: Bringing the ancient word to the modern world. Second Opin.1991;7(17):97–118.
3.
JakobovitsI, ed. Jewish Medical Ethics.New York, NY: Bloch; 1959.
4.
FromerMJ. Ethical Issues in Health Care.St Louis, Mo: Mosby; 1981.
5.
JakobovitsI, ed. Compendium on Medical Ethics, Jewish Moral, Ethical and Religious Principles in Medical Practice.New York, NY: Federation of Jewish Philanthropies; 1963.
6.
AroskarMA. Anatomy of an ethical dilemma. In: ThompsonHOThompsonJE, eds. Professional Ethics in Nursing.Malabar, Fla: Krieger; 1980:89–101.
7.
KohlbergL. Cited by: SilvaMC, ed. Ethical Decision Making in Nursing Administration.Norwalk, Conn: Appleton & Lange; 1990:95–99.
Responsa Iggrot Moshe, Yoreh Deah.Vol 2. New York, NY: NP Press; 1975:286.
10.
TendlerMD. Cessation of brain function: Ethical implications in terminal care and organ transplants. Ann N Y Acad Sci.1978;315:394–497.
11.
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah.Vol 3. New York, NY: NP Press; 1975:340.
12.
LammM. The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning.New York, NY: Jonathan David Publishers; 1969.
13.
SiminoffLAArnoldRMCaplanAL. Public policy governing organ and tissue procurement in the United States: Results from the National Organ and Tissue Procurement Study. Ann Intern Med.1995;123(1):10–7.
