"Japan is a global leader in medical research and techonology, but has the toughest laws of any developed country for organ donations, in part because of the cultural perceptions of death."
- Straits Times, Friday, June 12 2009.
Article Here
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The tough laws are making it hard for patients to receive donated organs. This article is about a young kid, Sotaro Nakazawa, whom died at the age of one. His father said that there are two things that killed his son. One is the heart disease and the other, is the fact that he was born in Japan.
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"To this day it is difficult to obtain consent from bereaved families for organ donation or dissection for medical education or pathological anatomy . . . the Japanese regard them all in the sense of injuring a dead body." -Shinto concept concerning the dead human body
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This goes down back to how culture and religion can affect one's perception of things. Even when it is a matter of life and death here, the cultural beliefs in Japan was held strong that injuring a dead body is a serious crime. Thus, organ transplant in Japan are often put to halt and many patients with heart disorders were not fortunate enough to be given another chance to live.
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On the other hand, many religious groups such as Islamics, Christians, Catholics, Buddhism etc, view organ and tissue donations as an act of charity and love. They permit organs donations such as to help put lives to an noble end.
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Again, there is no right or wrong to it, but it goes back to what type of culture and influence we are brought up in, understanding about what is true. Although it seem very much unacceptable to the majority of Japanese religion to cause disrespect to the brain dead, I feel that there is no reason why would they rather sacrifice another worthy person chance of living. It is a pity when a person has to leave the world, but since there is no way we can salvage it, why not let another person help live life to the fullest. Isn't it more meaningful than to hold on to some emotional and religious beliefs.
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Several proposals to change the law are now being debated in Japan's Parliament, and this may seal the fate of more that 12,000 Japanese patients currently waiting to receive organs. I am too hoping that the religious groups in Japan will view such matters in a more collectivism way. Such as putting mutual sympathy, making self-sacrifices for people of their own country at least. Although I know this is not going to be a easy path, perhaps the government should communicate and take actions to eventually implement and build in different new values to the people.
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Lastly, I feel that organs donation is a nothing to lose situation, as long as it does not goes against the donor's wish. I think it is about how certain religion perceive the definition of death. What do you think? (:
Religion is the key to this topic.Even though Japan is one of the most collectivist society out there. One cant mess with cultural tradition ie their beliefs and religion.
ReplyDeleteYes, i agree that organ donations is a great act of love. I would be most willing to donate mine to my loved ones, without any hesitation. However, to donate to strangers, somehow i have to think twice.
ReplyDeleteIt is already very painful to see your loved one passed away, and the next thing is to witness your loved one being "dissected" to donate every useable organs, be it his heart, eyes, liver, kidney... practically nothing left, he's just an empty "shell", stuffed with "straws".. this is exactly what had happened to my father when he died in a car accident 33 years ago, as described by my mother. That kind of feeling is simply unbearable, pain of loss, pain of seeing your loved ones being "tortured" even after death.
So, somehow, i can understand why the Japanese object to this so-called act of love/charity.
Of course in Singapore, unless you opt out of the donation system, you are automatically deemed as a willing party to donate all your organs when necessary/needed upon your death. I think majority just didn't want to be ostracized as selfish citizens, so didn't opt out, just made it a so-called "forced voluntary" act of charity for the nation.
I agree completely (:
ReplyDeleteit is a wonderful thing to be able to give the gift of life to others, as by doing so, we are not only bringing hope to the patient receiving the transplant, we are bringing hope to the loved ones & family members of the patient who might have thought they would lose him/ her forever too (:
therefore as long as it is not going against the wishes of those involved, i totally agree that organ donation is a wonderful act of kindness (:
We should re-examine our traditional norms and beliefs and see if they still hold weight in today's context. we can't be cavemen forever right? holding on to values is ok but we need to re-evaluate every once in a while.
ReplyDeletehi justin,
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment. no one can deny that religion and cultural aspects are held with high regards in every society. however, i hope that the people will soon be able to view it in a different way and open themselves to new perspectives. thats what i think at least.
hi grayze,
ReplyDeletethanks so much for your comment and real life experience.
yes, indeed it must have been a huge pain to see a loved one being "dissected." and one would never understand the pain unless its really someone close to you. nevertheless, if we were to put ourselves in the shoes of the survival who benefitted from the donation, imagine how thankful the family would be. you know they would help to continue to live life to the fullest. (:
hi butterflyfly,
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment.
yes, at the end, its still about respecting the wishes of the person/donor. just hope that the government or religious groups of japan will support the act of organs donation so as to benefit more needy people out there. (:
hi long long,
ReplyDeleteyes, we have to unlearn some social values and rethink about what is it that would really benefit the people in both ways. but its still the perspectives and thinking that has grown in many people through the years. it will be a slow process but i am sure it will be turning for the better as people are more open to more issues and matters through media globalisation.
Traditions, culture norms are built over years. It's not a matter of days that you can change it. Although I do hope the older generation can change their perception.
ReplyDeleteTo donate a not, it should not be due to culture but should be of a personal choice with the parents' permission. This is a action beneficial to the society and not causing harm to those not involve. Thus, what right does the society and culture have to object when the donors and their parents say yes. The organs belong to them anyway.
ReplyDelete