New organ donor law raise ethics concerns

April 4, 2007

A model law updating U.S. organ donation procedures that is being circulated among states is raising ethics concerns about dying patients' rights and wishes.

The Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act updates 1968 legislation that was adopted by every state to make organ donation procedures uniform, and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws issued the revision.

Among changes to the 1968 version is that the law is emphatic a person's decision to be an organ donor cannot be revoked by anyone else, but expands the list of people who can consent to an unconscious patient becoming a donor, the Washington Post reported.

Critics are concerned the law could make doctors more reluctant to administer morphine or other drugs to a dying person for fear making their organs unusable.

"My concern is that the dying patient is going to be neglected or even harmed for the benefit of someone else," said Gail Van Norman, a professor of anesthesiology and bioethics at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Virginia, Idaho, Utah and South Dakota have adopted the new bill and it is awaiting governors' signatures in Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa and New Mexico, the Post said.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

3.5 /5 (4 votes)  

Rank 3.5 /5 (4 votes)
Tags

Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Study finds that anti-diabetic medication can prevent the long-term effects of maternal obesity

In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting, in Dallas, Texas, researchers will report findings that show that short therapy with the anti-diabetic medication ...

Medicine & Health / Health

created 12 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1

Steroid injections prove effective in treatment of lumbar disc herniations

The use of epidural steroid injections may be a more efficient treatment option for lumbar disc herniations, according to research presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in ...

Medicine & Health / Health

created 12 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Amateur football players not always keen on returning to play after ACL injuries

Despite the known success rates of reconstructive Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery, the number of high school and collegiate football players returning to play may not be as high as anticipated, say researchers presenting ...

Medicine & Health / Health

created 12 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study finds elevated levels of cell-free DNA in first trimester do not predict preeclampsia

In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting, in Dallas, Texas, researchers will report findings that indicate that elevated levels of cell-free DNA in ...

Medicine & Health / Other

created 12 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

PRP treatment aids healing of elbow injuries say researchers

As elbow injuries continue to rise, especially in pitchers, procedures to help treat and get players back in the game quickly have been difficult to come by. However, a newer treatment called platelet rich plasma (PRP) may ...

Medicine & Health / Other

created 12 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0


Walney offshore wind farm is world's biggest (for now)

(PhysOrg.com) -- The Walney wind farm on the Irish Sea--characterized by high tides, waves and windy weather--officially opened this week. The farm is treated in the press as a very big deal as the Walney ...

GPS court ruling leaves US phone tracking unclear

A US Supreme Court decision requiring a warrant to place a GPS device on the car of a criminal suspect leaves unresolved the bigger issue of police tracking using mobile phones, legal experts say.

Europeans protest controversial Internet pact

Tens of thousands of people marched in protests in more than a dozen European cities Saturday against a controversial anti-online piracy pact that critics say could curtail Internet freedom.

Europe stakes billion-dollar bet on new rocket

A pencil-slim rocket is scheduled to lift into space from South America on Monday, carrying a billion-dollar bet that Europe can grab a juicy slice of the market to place satellites in low orbit.

Netflix settlement trims 14 pct off 4Q earnings

(AP) -- Netflix pressed the rewind button on its fourth-quarter earnings after settling allegations that the video subscription service violated a consumer-privacy law.

Elbow position not a predictor of injury

Elbow position alone appeared to not affect injury rates and performance in college-level, male pitchers say researchers presenting at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in San Francisco, ...