Memorandum on behalf of the London Beth
Din (Court of the Chief Rabbi)
Q1. Jewish Law in principle supports any
measure that preserves life including organ donation. However
there may be practical restrictions with the donation of some
organs given the determination of death in Jewish Law. The Court
of the Chief Rabbi, in line with leading Jewish legal authorities,
rule the definition of death as being that of cessation of respiration
rather than brain stem death alone. One may not terminate the
life of a living person in order to save the life of another.
Q.2 We are not aware of any such tendency.
Obviously, however, the issue of organ donation is of a very personal
nature and individuals will have their own feelings and views.
General education and promotion of the need for organ donation
should prove helpful.
Q3. It would not be acceptable. In addition
to the "halachic" (Jewish Law) issue referred to above,
the right to donate organs must at all times remain with the donors
and their families and may not be presumed by others.
Q4. We have concerns that a group that differs
substantially from the general norm could be prejudiced. Accordingly
this option is not acceptable.
March 2008
| 
