Brain Death, Organ Donation, and the Need for Moral Certainty

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The question of determining brain death is a topic of much debate, especially in the Catholic community. Some have come out strongly against proposed changes to the generally accepted neurological criteria for determining death while others find that the changes are still in line with Catholic teaching. At stake for many is the much-needed organ transplant opportunities that would be disrupted if Catholics were called to reject these criteria versus the possibility that the current standards allow a doctor to kill their patient in procuring organs. This article acknowledges these concerns and strives to help Catholics seek a state of moral certitude in the case of organ donation after declaration of brain death.