LACK OF ORGAN DONATIONS IN JAPAN

In June 1997, Japan passed a new law accepting the concept of brain death and permitting organ donations from persons who have been declared brain dead. Unfortunately, no heart, liver or lung transplantation has taken place since then and the shortage of organs continues.

It is felt that there are loopholes in the law that need to be plugged. For instance, even if a person has been declared brain dead, the family can still stop organs from being removed until after the heart stops beating. Also, a donor’s family can overrule the donor’s written consent to give his or her organs following death. Cultural beliefs and a widespread mistrust of doctors have been held responsible for the lack of organ donations. – Associated Press.