Diagnosis Is Anencephaly and the Parents Ask About Organ Donation: Now What?

Abstract

The issues surrounding organ donation by anencephalic infants such as Baby Avery are complex for all involved. This Article will examine anencephalic organ donation by providing an overview of the legal, medical, social, and ethical issues that hospital counsel and ethics committees will face when presented with anencephalic organ donation scenarios. This discussion will be framed by recounting recent cases involving parents who wanted to donate their anencephalic infant's organs. Furthermore, this Article will propose that the topic of anencephalic organ donation be thoroughly discussed and well understood in every medical/legal setting in which an anencephalic infant may present itself.