Claim Review: Hospitals Harvest Organs From Donors Who Are STILL ALIVE

Claim Review: Hospitals Harvest Organs From Donors Who Are STILL ALIVE

Infowars recently claimed that hospitals harvest organs from donors who are still alive. Dr. Heidi Klessig, M.D., appeared on Children’s Health Defense (CHD) TV to warn people that registering to be an organ donor puts them in danger of having their organs harvested from their bodies while they are still alive.

Dr. Klessig argues that when people register to be organ donors, they are not informed that brain death does not mean biological death. She cites cases where individuals declared braindead have delivered healthy babies and suggests that organ donors may recover if not taken advantage of by the organ transplant industry.

Understanding Brain Death

Brain death is a medically recognized state of death. According to the National Institutes of Health, brain death occurs when all functions of the brain, including the brainstem, have permanently and irreversibly ceased. This is determined through a series of rigorous tests and evaluations.

While it is true that a person declared braindead may still have a beating heart and functioning organs, this is due to the use of mechanical ventilation and other life support measures. The person is considered legally and medically dead because the brain, which controls all bodily functions, has ceased to function.

Organ Donation Procedures

Organ donation procedures are strictly regulated to ensure ethical practices. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outlines the process, which includes obtaining consent from the donor or their family, conducting medical evaluations, and ensuring that the donor is medically suitable for donation.

Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) work closely with hospitals to facilitate the donation process. The decision to declare brain death and the process of organ donation are separate and independent, ensuring that the best interests of the patient are always prioritized.

Addressing Specific Cases

Dr. Klessig mentions two cases where individuals declared braindead may have been able to recover. However, these cases are not representative of the standard medical practice. In rare instances, there may be controversies or misunderstandings, but these do not negate the established medical criteria for brain death.

The case of Terrance Howard, a 19-year-old athlete, and Amber Ebanks, a 23-year-old business student, are cited as examples. While these cases are tragic, they do not provide evidence that organ donation procedures are routinely unethical or that hospitals harvest organs from living donors.

Conclusion

The claim that hospitals harvest organs from donors who are still alive is misleading and not supported by scientific evidence. Brain death is a medically recognized state of death, and organ donation procedures are strictly regulated to ensure ethical practices. While there may be rare cases of controversy, the overall system is designed to prioritize the best interests of the patient and the ethical procurement of organs.

For more information on organ donation and brain death, please refer to reliable sources such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health.