Pobieranie narządów po zatrzymaniu krążenia. O nadrzędności neurologicznego kryterium śmierci nad krążeniowym – kwestie filozoficzne

Abstract

DONATION AFTER CIRCULATORY DETERMINATION OF DEATH. ABOUT THE PRECEDENCE OF NEUROLOGICAL CRITERION OF DEATH OVER CIRCULATORY CRITERION – PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES Summary This two-part article concerns with bioethical issues associated with organ donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD). Part 2 is devoted to philosophical problems. I analyze three concepts of death, that identify the end of life with a) somatic disintegration of the organism, b) irreversible cessation of vital work of self-preservation and c) irreversible loss of patient’s moral status. By referring to these positions I argue that circulatory criterion of death is reliable only if cessation of circulation lasts long enough for brain death to occur. Taking this into account, it might be supposed that the 5 minutes period of observation of cessation of circulation is not enough for patient’s death to take place.

Keywords

• bioethics
• medical ethics
• organ transplantation
• donation after circulatory determination of death
• brain death
• dead donor rule