Overcoming religious and cultural obstacles to organ donation : a rights-based approach

Abstract

The transplantation of human tissue, cells and organs has saved and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals who suffer from organ failure. Advancements in organ transplant technologies have resulted in an increased demand for viable organs for transplantation - a demand which South Africa is unable to meet. Religious beliefs, cultural practices and the system for organ procurement currently used in South Africa are some of the obstacles to donation. The thesis debunks religious and cultural misconceptions about organ donation and transplantation, basing its arguments in a human rights-based approach. Ways in which human rights norms may be used in the promotion of organ donation, whilst still respecting the cultural and religious beliefs of the individuals involved, are interrogated. It is concluded that religious and cultural norms, in fact, support organ donation. The introduction in South Africa of a mandated choicesystem as an alternative for the procurement and allocation of organs is recommended by the thesis.