Moslem body allows kidney transplants

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)