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> > The question remains, did Dr. Bob ever collect fees for removing organs > from > those on life support? > > Ned This is a very sensitive topic for those of us who are the bedside when the issue of organ donation must be addressed. In the first place, the patient involved has been tenderly cared for by all of the medical staff. Every effort has been made to keep the patient alive while meeting the family's needs for comfort and, sometimes, hope. We all become intimately involved in such situations - the issue of organ donation in a brain dead person is not a philosophical one for us - it is personal. When it is evident that the patient no longer has any brain function (a traumatic finding for all involved), then the issue of organ donation must be addressed. As a Catholic, I adhere to the teachings of my faith when looking for direction in the area of medical ethics. The Church declares that organ donation is permissible when consent has been given and the transplant conforms to moral law. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2296). *Any* physician caring for such a patient has a right to collect fees for services. Since neurologists make the call as to when brain death has occurred, a consultation fee is charged. The question as to whether Dr. Bob collected fees has no bearing on this issue. The implication has been that this is a right-to-life when it is clearly not (unless, of course, the activity involves removing critical organs for a live patient without their consent). -------------- God bless Mary Ann Ryan (CG Jamie 65/25) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn