A stronger policy of organ retrieval from cadaveric donors: Some ethical considerations

Abstract

Taking organs from dead people seems, prima facie, to raise fewer ethical complications than taking organs from other sources. There are, however, serious ethical problems in taking organs from the dead unless there is premortem, evidence that this is what the deceased would have wanted, or at least, not have objected to. In this paper we will look at a "strong" opting out policy as proposed by John Harris. We will argue that people can be harmed after their death and that the posthumous removal of organs against their expressed wishes is one form that such harm might take. We also argue that Harris's claim that we show "equality of concern" between the donor and recipient requires too much.