Addressing Religious and Cultural Differences in Views on Transplantation, Including Composite Tissue Allotransplantation

Abstract

Composite tissue allotransplantation is a rapidly developing field in plastic and reconstructive surgery and therefore imposes an obligation upon plastic and transplant surgeons to familiarize themselves with some unique aspects of this new discipline. The visible nature of extremities, and the face, presents a special hurdle when seeking the consent of the donor's family, as well as the recipient. Religious and sociocultural backgrounds of both the donor and recipient may have an important impact on the outcome of the donation and acceptance process. The purpose of this review is to present the current positions of major religious groups on allotransplantation and the cultural responses to the religious stances. In this context, we have investigated whether there are any specific religious or cultural restrictions against the practice of composite tissue allotransplantation.

Perfusion decellularization of a human limb: A novel platform for composite tissue engineering and reconstructive surgery

“…due to anatomical differences, for instance in specimens with greater or lesser muscle mass). However, as in the case of hand transplantation, donor families view the request to donate a part of a limb quite differently than, for example, the request for donation of a heart [ 37 ]. Internal organs do not elicit the same visual effects, therefore garnering greater donation rates.…”

<p>Public attitudes toward vascularized composite allograft donation: a literature review</p>

“…An extensive review of the positions held by different religious groups concluded that most religions place no specific bans on allotransplantations (including hand and face). 23 In Christianity, donation is viewed as an act of charity and love by Catholics, Protestants, Baptists, Episcopals and Lutherians. Similarly, in Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism, transplantation of tissue and skin is considered noble and an act of altruism.…”

Ushering in the era of penile transplantation

“…Conservative and Reformist Judaism encourage organ donation, and there is no clear consensus of brain-death among orthodox leaders (39). Organ donation has been part of Hindu myths and writings without clear discussion related to genitalia (40). Buddhism and confucian ethics debate the time of death and the role of a lingering spirit afterwards, making the concept of donation somewhat complicated (41,42).…”