RECIPIENT AS CANNIBAL: JAPANESE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ETHICS OF ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
Abstract
Because organ transplantation involves the literal taking into one body of another body’s parts, Japanese commentators on modern biotechnology have, at least in comparison to their Western counterparts, been willing to see parallels between such a practice and cannibalism. This survey of that difference in sensitivity suggests that it is part of the reason why Japan has been less willing to grant social acceptance to such a medical procedure. Differences between Buddhism and Christianity – since in the latter a central ritual involves the symbolic ingestion of flesh and blood – also appear to be involved in the differing ways in which organ transplantation from “brain-dead” persons has been evaluated not only by the bioethicists but also by the general populace in these two constituencies.Downloads
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