Beyond Baby Doe: Does Infant Transplantation Justify Euthanasia?

Abstract

Recent advances in medical technology have made it possible to transplant organs into infants with severe heart and kidney disease, but the need for these organs exceeds the presently available supply. Some have suggested that infants born with the severe neurological defect of anencephaly might be used as organ donors, even if these infants do not meet the criteria for brain death. Current criteria for brain death are reviewed and it is concluded that this proposal represents active euthanasia or medical killing of infants with anencephaly. Justification of active euthanasia is discussed in medical, ethical, and historical terms. Recently developed protocols to obtain organs for transplantation from infants with anencephaly after brain death has been determined are described and their ethical implications are discussed. It is argued that active euthanasia of infants with anencephaly is undesirable and should be prohibited in order to safeguard the rights of all persons with severe neurological disabilities.

Keywords

advocacy “Baby Doe,”bioethics euthanasia medical treatment public policy seriously ill newborns

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