Are we ready to consider organ donation after voluntary assisted dying in Australia? (V)
Neera Bhatia1, Deakin University Burwood 1Deakin University, Burwood , Victoria, Australia
Abstract
Within a reasonably short period of time, voluntary assisted dying (VAD) has become lawful in all Australian States. Further Australian Territories have also repealed previous laws allowing VAD legislation to be passed. There have been great strides made in the VAD context —allowing individuals who meet eligibility criteria to have greater control as to how they wish to end their lives after suffering illness. However, in another area of health – Australia’s organ donation shortage remains an issue of national concern, and a topic of academic, public, and medical discussion. This is especially pertinent in relation to deceased organ donation.
Organ donation after euthanasia is currently practiced in a few countries and is performed in the same manner as donation of organs after circulatory death (DCD). However, there are some additional considerations and processes that must be followed in the case of organ donation after euthanasia. In this presentation, I will highlight some international examples and how organ donation after euthanasia is currently performed overseas through a practical and logistical lens. I will then invite you to consider (i) whether Australia should engage in meaningful conversation about organ donation after voluntary assisted dying and (ii) explore some of the practical, legal, and ethical considerations that would require further discussion and consultation.
Biography
Dr Neera Bhatia is an Associate Professor. She holds an LLB (Hons), Masters in Law from the UK, and a Doctorate in Law from Deakin University.
Neera is the author of ‘Critically impaired infants and end of life decision making: Resource allocation and difficult decisions’, published by Routledge Cavendish (UK). She has published widely on contemporary issues in health law and bioethics. Her research interests are in end-of-life decision-making for critically ill infants and children, organ donation, voluntary assisted dying, determination of death, and emerging health and reproductive technologies.
She teaches Health Law in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Neera actively engages with the wider community as an expert commentator in the media on topical issues in health law.
She is the Deputy Chair, Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee, and the Chair, Faculty Human Ethics Committee