Anencephalic donors: separate the dead from the dying

Proposals to use organs from anencephalic infants to meet the growing need for transplantable organs are well-meaning but misguided. It would be unwise to amend the Uniform Determination of Death Act to classify anencephalics as "dead." They are in the same situation as other patients (such as the permanently comatose). Likewise, amending the Anatomical Gift Act to permit organs to be removed from anencephalics would be unjust, would set a bad precedent, and would likely reduce overall success in this field.