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Related Experiment Videos

Anencephaly: where do we now stand?

J Walters1, S Ashwal, T Masek

  • 1Department of Ethical Studies, Loma Linda University, CA 92354, USA.

Seminars in Neurology
|January 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Anencephalic newborns lack brain stem function, raising ethical debates on organ donation. Despite reduced cases, the discussion continues, impacting views on other vulnerable patients.

Area of Science:

  • Bioethics
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Medical Ethics

Background:

  • The American Medical Association's ethics council proposed direct organ procurement from anencephalic newborns, challenging the "dead donor" rule.
  • This proposal faced significant controversy, leading to its withdrawal and ongoing debate.
  • Anencephaly is characterized by the near-complete absence of brain stem function, with new research detecting prenatal indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the ethical considerations surrounding organ donation from anencephalic newborns.
  • To examine the scientific basis for considering anencephalic newborns as organ sources.
  • To analyze the philosophical underpinnings of the debate, contrasting physicalism and personalism.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing medical literature on anencephaly and brain stem function.

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  • Analysis of ethical frameworks, specifically physicalism and personalism.
  • Examination of the historical context of the American Medical Association's ethical opinions.

    • Main Results:

    • Current studies demonstrate a lack of even primitive functional organization in the brain stems of anencephalic infants.
    • Prenatal detection of unusual behaviors associated with cerebral absence is possible.
    • The debate highlights two main ethical viewpoints: physicalism (no exceptions) and personalism (focus on mental capacities).

    Conclusions:

    • Despite a reduction in anencephalic newborns due to screening, ethical discussions persist.
    • The case of anencephalic newborns raises complex ethical questions relevant to other patients with diminished capacities, such as those in persistent vegetative states.
    • While many bioethicists lean towards personalism, concerns remain regarding the societal impact of legal changes for organ procurement from this population.