Quick. Suppose you’re “pro-life” and in favor of the death penalty. Now, suppose a guy on death row wants to donate his liver to his dying sister. This causes a problem, but not the problem a reasonable person might think.
Eric Meslin, director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics, said Johnson’s offer puts doctors, lawyers and society in a dilemma.
“You can’t donate a liver before you die, because that would kill you and that gets in the way of the state killing you,” he said. “And you can’t donate organs after you die, because the method of execution would render the organs unusable.”
Problem. Solution?
[Condemned man's attorney, Michelle] Kraus said doctors could take a piece of Johnson’s liver in what is known as a “split liver” transplant. The remainder of the organ would regenerate and, in time, Johnson would be healthy enough to be put to death.
Only in America would we have to insure a man is healthy enough for the state to kill him. (OK. Not only in America, but you know what I mean.)
Via MetaFilter.
