Moslem body allows kidney transplants

JAKARTA (JP): The Ulemas Council (MUI), the umbrella for Indonesia's Moslem organizations, endorses kidney transplants from corpses, as long as the intentions are for saving lives.

Council chairman Hasan Basri said yesterday that there is no verse in the Holy Koran which disallows kidneys being taken from corpses for transplants.

He said that, so far, the influential council permits cornea transplants from dead bodies. "By the same token, kidney transplants should be no problem," he said, as reported by Antara.

The council is yet to issue a religious edict, or fatwa, on the matter, Hasan said.

Although the ruling does not exist yet, Moslem ulemas and the public alike should be assured that such transplants are allowed by Islamic teachings, he said.

"This information is needed so as to avoid unnecessary differences that may arise between religious leaders and laymen," he said.

Hasan made the statement in response to a recent call by the Indonesian Kidney Foundation, for the council to issue an edict on using kidneys from corpses for transplants.

The foundation's chairman, R.P. Sidabutar, argued that a clear-cut ruling on the issue is vital in view of the increasing number of people having kidneys problems.

"As far as I know, no religion bans kidney transplants from dead bodies, as long as measures are taken to save the life of the recipient," he said.

Hasan Basri suggested that doctors discuss transplants with the ulemas. (05)