Organ Donation....... (Earth, soul, blood, experience, science)

[Comet]

I was going to do this under "Discussion". Yet, as many times as I've "discussed" this with people..... I know better! So a bit of info on me then:

I am against organ donation. I personally do not ever want "my" organs donated, nor will I take them from another. I am not against people who choose to do so, nor people who wish to have one to keep living. I just find it an absolutely bizarre concept.... and frankly a bit disgusting and degrading. That really is besides the point of why I bring this up though...... (and for future reference, NO I DO NOT DONATE BLOOD OR PLASMA - though I find myself asking myself more questions as to "why" on that).

Here is something I bring up that 99% of people I discuss this with did not know (from an article- yes, science backs it up- and I feel it brings up many religious questions as well):
Candace Pert, author of Molecules of Emotion: Why You Feel the Way You Feel, says, "Memories are stored not only in the brain, but in a psychosomatic network extending into the body . . . all the way out along pathways to internal organs and the very surface of our skin." After having discovered neuropeptides in all body tissues, Pert suggests that through cellular receptors, thoughts or memories may remain unconscious or can become conscious-raising the possibility of physiological connections between memories, organs and the mind.
**************(same article)******************
Another amazing story, reported by Pearsall, is that of an eight-year-old girl who received the heart of a ten-year-old girl who had been murdered. After the transplant, the recipient had horrifying nightmares of a man murdering her donor. The dreams were so traumatic that psychiatric help was sought. The girl's images were so specific that the psychiatrist and the mother notified the police. According to the psychiatrist, ". . .using the description from the little girl, they found the murderer. He was easily convicted with the evidence the patient provided. The time, weapon, place, clothes he wore, what the little girl he killed had said to him . . . everything the little heart transplant recipient had reported was completely accurate."
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For more like this see:
http://www.nexusmagazine.com/article...rMemories.html

The question I start with is: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?

[Feathers in Hair]

I was already aware of the information supporting the argument that body cells carry memories when they're donated, and I find it even more supportive of why I wish to donate my organs. I think it's beautiful that a part of my soul might live on, especially if doing so will benefit another human being. I have no part of me or my personality, as rough as it is, that I wouldn't wish to share with anyone. So how do I feel? Joy.

[evearael]

After I die, I would want my organs to save the lives of others, if it is possible. I certainly wouldn't need them at that point. I feel saving the lives of others far outweighs any other concern.

[MaddLlama]

I think that organ donation can save lives, and the idea of "cellular memory" is dubious new-age fakey science. =)

http://skepdic.com/cellular.html
http://www.skepticreport.com/psychics/cellmemory.htm

Matter of fact, the ONLY sources I can find that support the idea of cell memory are new age sources. Searching in reputable medical sources available to me doesn't even come up with a REFERENCE to the concept. The first time I heard of this was from a hypnotist. She claimed that cell memory could help people make shape thier bodies through hypnosis. It doesn't work that way.

If an emotional attachment to your organs bothers you, then don't donate. But, just remember that if you didn't have that sentimental attachment, you could save the life of a person who needs that body part that you're not using. People with failing organs wait for months and sometimes die without getting the help they need. Are your organs in your dead body so important to you that you can't part with them to save someone elses life?

[krashlocke]

I can always make more blood, and frankly I'm not gonna need my liver once I've hit the void. The body's just a vessel stamped "Made on Earth" or Taiwan or whatever. Cheaply, at that. Like 13 cents per unit including sweatshop labor kid of cheap. That's not to say I don't like it or try to take decent care of it, but all it is is the hardware of me experiences. My body is a tool - a great machine - and I grant it no more accord than that. I might as well ditch the spare parts.

[krashlocke]

Cellular memory? If my brain can remember crud, how's my spleen gonna take up the slack? I mean, maybe my pancreas is pretty keen...

Honestly, people could do worse than getting some of me and my memories. Maybe do them some good. Or something.

[MaddLlama]

I'm such a nerd that this whole idea of someone getting your memories with an organ is making me think of Star Trek. >.<

[MidnightBlue]

I think organ donation is a wonderful thing, and I admire those who do it.

However, I'm not an organ donor, and my reason, though it's a stupid one, is one I can't seem to get over: I have this nagging feeling that some eager-beaver doctor will be looking me over for parts.

But I've decided I'd like to be cremated, and I do hope I manage to overcome my reservations before they burn those corneas, etc.

[Snowbear]

I figure that once I'm dead, I have no use for my organs. If someone else thinks they are not ready to die yet and can use some of them, go for it. Or if their life will somehow be made easier or better for using my parts... go for it.

As for blood - as someone else said, I can always make more.

HOWEVER - Each time I have had surgery, I have specifically declined to sign the paperwork consenting to blood product transfusion. I have my personal reasons for this and all I will say about those reasons is that have absolutely nothing to do with religion. I feel the same way about being an organ recipient.... When I broke my leg, they were considering bone grafting. I told them if they needed to use that option, use some of my own bone... I have plenty, save the cadaver bone for someone who needs it more.