Organ Transplants

and the Definition of Death

David Jones

Transplant medicine transfers living tissue from one part of a body to another to restore or assist its healthy functioning. It is not easily assessed morally: it involves receiving an organ, taking organs from dead bodies or from donors, finding new organs, and sharing out organs and costs.

This booklet outlines the main questions and concerns, explains Catholic teaching and systematically grapples with particularly difficult questions. It is written in clear, accessible language, with directions for further reading, and a full glossary.

A Brief History of Transplant Medicine

Moral Issues in Organ Transplantation
The Official Teaching of the Catholic Church

Weighing up the Arguments

Tentative Conclusions and Unresolved Questions

Organ Transplants

and the Definition of Death

David Jones

Contents