How to Donate an Organ
What is the first step in becoming an organ donor?
Registering as an organ donor and ensuring your family knows your wishes.
What does "end-stage organ failure" mean?
It means that an organ is no longer functioning enough to keep the person alive without a transplant.
Should organs go to the sickest person or the one who has waited the longest?
The sickest person, based on medical urgency.
What is the ethical dilemma in The Adoration of Jenna Fox when it comes to Jenna’s reconstruction?
Jenna was brought back using illegal bioengineering technology, which raises questions about identity and consent.
How many people are waiting for a kidney transplant in Canada?
25,499 people.
Can living people donate organs?
Yes, living people can donate kidneys, part of their liver, and other tissues.
What is the most important factor when matching a donor organ to a recipient?
Compatibility, including blood type and tissue match.
Can people with a history of smoking or drinking still receive organ transplants?
Yes, but it depends on the organ and whether the person’s overall health can recover after a transplant.
What does Jenna struggle with after her reconstruction?
Jenna struggles with losing her memory and her sense of identity.
What is the most commonly transplanted organ in Canada?
The kidney.
What are the medical conditions that might disqualify someone from being an organ donor?
Severe infections, cancer, or certain chronic diseases.
How long is the wait for a kidney transplant in Canada on average?
Several years, sometimes up to 5-7 years.
Should wealth be a factor in getting a transplant?
No, organ donations are based on need and urgency, not wealth.
What is the ethical issue of creating digital backups of a person’s consciousness in the book?
The moral implications of creating digital backups raise concerns about identity and whether it is ethical to clone or preserve someone’s mind.
How many people die waiting for an organ in Canada each year?
About 250 people.
How are organ donations matched to recipients?
Based on compatibility factors such as blood type, tissue type, and organ size.
How are age and health considered when determining eligibility for a transplant?
Doctors assess whether the recipient is healthy enough to handle the transplant and recover successfully.
Should someone who caused their own illness (ex: due to drugs or alcohol) be denied an organ transplant?
Ethical issue about fairness vs. personal responsibility.
How does Jenna’s grandmother react when she finds out about Jenna’s bioengineering?
Jenna’s grandmother says, “Ten percent. Ten percent of your brain. That’s all they could save,” showing her frustration with the idea of cloning and reconstruction.
How many organs can one donor save?
Up to 8 lives.
What’s the process for removing organs after someone passes away?
The organ removal is done in a hospital after legal death has been declared by a medical professional.
What happens if you’re not a good match for a donor organ?
You stay on the waitlist, and doctors continue searching for a better match.
Should there be an age limit for receiving organ transplants?
This is debated: some believe it’s fairer to give organs to younger people, while others argue that age should not matter if the person is in need.
What is the significance of the quote, “I don’t remember my mother, my father, or Lily. I don’t remember that I once lived in Boston”?
This quote highlights the loss of Jenna’s memories and the struggle of living as a "new person," raising questions about identity.
How many people are currently waiting for a liver transplant in Canada?
9,528 people.