Sikhism viewpoint on organ donation
What is organ donation?
Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone else who needs a transplant. Hundreds of people lives are saved each year by an organ transplant. Organs that can be donated by people who have died are the heart, lungs, kidneys, Liver, pancreas and small bowel. Tissues such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used to help others.
When can organ donation take place?
Doctors and nurses are committed to doing everything possible to save life. Organs are only removed for transplantation once all attempts to save life have failed and after death has been certified by a doctor or doctors who are entirely independent of the transplantation team. Most donated organs come from people who die from a serve brain injury and who receive treatment from a ventilator in an intensive care unit. The brain injury damages vital centers in the brain stem which are essential to maintain life. No one can live once these centers have been destroyed. Tests can show conclusively when this has happened. In some circumstances, patients who die in hospital but are not on a ventilator may also donate. They are called non-heart beating donors.
Consent
The consent or lack of objection, of those closest to the patient is always sought before organs can be donated. This is why it is so important for people to discuss their wishes with their loved ones. Donation is an individual choice and views differ even within the same religious groups. Many families who agree to organ donation have said “It helps to know that some good has come from our loss”
Care and respect
The removal of organs is carried out with greatest care and respect. The family can see the body afterwards and staff can contact a Chaplin or local religious leaders if the family wishes.
Where does Sikhi stand in regards to Organ donation?
The Sikh philosophy and teachings place great emphasis on the importance of giving to others, hence the free kitchen at every Sikh temple. Sikhs have in the past put others before themselves a great example of this is when Sri Guru Teg bahadur Ji sacrificed his live (he was beheaded) to defend the rights of the Hindu religion (a faith which he didn’t even practice). If Guru JI can give his life for the betterment of others, the least we can do is give our organs once we are dead to benefit others.
Through goodness and truth, the dead establish a bond with the living. Ang 143 SGGSJ
Courtesy of http://frontlinepunjabiyouth.blogspot.com
Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone else who needs a transplant. Hundreds of people lives are saved each year by an organ transplant. Organs that can be donated by people who have died are the heart, lungs, kidneys, Liver, pancreas and small bowel. Tissues such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used to help others.
When can organ donation take place?
Doctors and nurses are committed to doing everything possible to save life. Organs are only removed for transplantation once all attempts to save life have failed and after death has been certified by a doctor or doctors who are entirely independent of the transplantation team. Most donated organs come from people who die from a serve brain injury and who receive treatment from a ventilator in an intensive care unit. The brain injury damages vital centers in the brain stem which are essential to maintain life. No one can live once these centers have been destroyed. Tests can show conclusively when this has happened. In some circumstances, patients who die in hospital but are not on a ventilator may also donate. They are called non-heart beating donors.
Consent
The consent or lack of objection, of those closest to the patient is always sought before organs can be donated. This is why it is so important for people to discuss their wishes with their loved ones. Donation is an individual choice and views differ even within the same religious groups. Many families who agree to organ donation have said “It helps to know that some good has come from our loss”
Care and respect
The removal of organs is carried out with greatest care and respect. The family can see the body afterwards and staff can contact a Chaplin or local religious leaders if the family wishes.
Where does Sikhi stand in regards to Organ donation?
The Sikh philosophy and teachings place great emphasis on the importance of giving to others, hence the free kitchen at every Sikh temple. Sikhs have in the past put others before themselves a great example of this is when Sri Guru Teg bahadur Ji sacrificed his live (he was beheaded) to defend the rights of the Hindu religion (a faith which he didn’t even practice). If Guru JI can give his life for the betterment of others, the least we can do is give our organs once we are dead to benefit others.
Through goodness and truth, the dead establish a bond with the living. Ang 143 SGGSJ
Courtesy of http://frontlinepunjabiyouth.blogspot.com
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