Bill to define 'brain death as human death' becomes law

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Bill to define 'brain death as human death' becomes law

A bill to revise the Organ Transplant Law on July 13 became law after being approved by the House of Councilors.

The revised-law defines "brain death as human death" and enables organ transplants without the donor's consent. It also lifts the prohibition of organ transplants from children under age 15.

The Japanese Communist Party has said that the Diet must not try to reach a hasty conclusion because the need now is to spend a sufficient amount of time to discuss the issue.

The JCP has called for an ad hoc council to be established with the aim of carefully considering the criteria for determining children's brain death and build a national consensus.

- Akahata, July 14, 2009