Opinion
For organ donation, eminent domain argument fails morally and ethically
LETTER — Posted Nov. 5, 2007
Regarding "The government should claim organs for donation by eminent domain" (Letters, Sept. 24): Letter writer David Behar, MD, Bethlehem, Pa., is entitled to his opinion that corpses are chattel with market value, and that it is superstitious, religious people who could think otherwise.
This opinion suggests to me that people can become property, a belief that is repugnant on a moral, ethical, and human level. AMNews should seek comments by medical ethicists on the appropriateness of the government claiming organ donation by eminent domain.
Ingeborg Damstra, MD, Newtown Square, Pa.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/11/05/edlt1105.htm.
Copyright © 2007 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
