Ethical Questions Concerning the Transplantation of Organs

Abstract

Today we are able to prolong the life - in the sense of maintaining of some essential functions - almost to the infinity. We can do this also when is evident that a person will not be any more able to be aware of anything at all. Such a situation raises new ethical questions, especially when we know that the body parts of this person could be used to save the life of other person. What - in these circumstances - requests the respect of holiness of the life? Will we opt out for prolongation of life of a person who will be not any more able to be aware of anything at all or for a help to a person who will be able - with a medical help - to live a happy life? The ethics of quality of the life advocates the second option. I present the arguments in favor of the second - in my opinion reasonable - option. In the second part of the article I argue that in the actual circumstances I see no moral obstacles why the trade with body parts (organs) should be prohibited.