Medical Issues: Can Organs Be Removed Before Death for Transplant in Terminal Patients?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Medical Issues: Can Organs Be Removed Before Death for Transplant in Terminal Patients?

English:

Question #1279:

If a person is suffering from a fatal illness and doctors say he will die soon, is it permissible to remove certain organs from his body, such as heart, kidney, etc., before he is dead so that it can be transplanted in the body of another person?

Answer #1279:

If the removal of the organs from the patient’s body leads to his death, it amounts to murder. Otherwise, there is no objection to it provided that it is done with the person’s permission.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Medical Issues