Delay execution to save another life?

[ug333]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/05/17/execution.organ.donate.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

OK, so this man on death row wants to delay his execution so that his sister can have his liver. Personally, if they can medically show a need for the liver, I think they should DEFINITELY allow it. Even if there are other livers available, there are always others on a waiting list who need a liver, and relatives often provide a higher chance of success.

I see no reason to not allow him to do something good for this world.

[vggiegirl]

I agree. Let him save his sister, then they can carry on as planned.

[buddhadragon]

With onions on mine.

[4 Life]

I saw this on the news and I think it's a wonderful idea.

[The Rev]

This problem is interesting from the anti-death penalty perspective, as well. I mean, if you don't kill him, then his sister dies. Does this make the death penalty more acceptable, because it yields some good in this case?

:think:

The Rev

[Kurmudgeon]

Phew..... I was expecting yet another hypothetical.

If they off him and then his sister soon carks it, they'll both be in heaven together forever much sooner. I think that's the best outcome, so I'd vote no.

[kirkjobsluder]

Well, evidently it's just a stalling tactic. Lethal injection is probably incompatible with organ donation, and partial-liver transplants are probably out of the question.

[JLRodgers]

I was just wondering about that really... technically he'd have to have the liver pulled... then executed (without a liver)... otherwise the toxins given would kill off the liver I'd think...

[kirkjobsluder]

I was just wondering about that really... technically he'd have to have the liver pulled... then executed (without a liver)... otherwise the toxins given would kill off the liver I'd think...

The chemicals used are rather tame. I think I had Potassium Chloride one time when I was in the hospital and my potassium levels were low.The problem is (from what I've can been told) is that you can only salvage organs while the heart is still beating. So part of the problem with organ donation is that you just don't get that many people dying of massive head trauma.

[Loki]

I'm not an advocate for the death penalty, but taht's another thread.

But if he wants to help save someone else, he should be able to do it. I'm up for it.

[4 Life]

The said on the news this morning that the drugs they would give him for execution would render all his organs unharvestable..besides the fact that you need to do it while the heart is still beating like kirk said.

[ug333]

This problem is interesting from the anti-death penalty perspective, as well. I mean, if you don't kill him, then his sister dies. Does this make the death penalty more acceptable, because it yields some good in this case?

I don't think it makes his death any more acceptable. It is still wrong.

But, if he is going to die, we might as well help someone else (if we can).

As far as Kirk, you very well might be right. In which case, this is pointless. I guess I will wait to see if they can come up with a plan to allow it, in which case let him do it.

[Capstan]

So, he saves his sister, after being whacked by the government, but then, the sister goes on to be a mass murderer, or worse, an exotic dancer. Should the government take that risk? I say, kill him quick, and in public, as an example, before there's any chance of appeal, then we'll all be safer, for having struck a blow for freedom, in these dangerous times.

[frenchie]

Take his liver and let him die on the operating table :up:

[Beancounter]

I guess I'm confused as to why this is a controversy.

Why is it an issue for him to be excuted a week later (after the operation)? Or is an execution date set in stone for some reason, and this case is setting a precident?

[frenchie]

Apparantly the family of the victim are outraged. I heard the family say (on the news) that they don't want him to be remembered as a hero that saved his sister's life.

[kirkjobsluder]

Well, there are other reasons for concern. Doctors are unwilling to perform an operation that will almost certainly result in the death of their patient, so the organ transplant doctors arn't going to touch this one with a 10 foot pole.

[Kurmudgeon]

Apparantly the family of the victim are outraged. I heard the family say (on the news) that they don't want him to be remembered as a hero that saved his sister's life.

Who gives a flying **** about the family of the victim? It's not about them.

[Kelson]

Yeah, I have to agree. Who cares about the family of the victim when it comes to what they want the murderer rembered like? Saving his sister's life makes him no less of a murderer than he is currently. It just allows some good to come of his death. Now, his sister dying because he wasn't allowed to give her his liver would be a homocide of sorts committed by the family of the victim, eh? I guess they'd have to go to death row next....

But yeah, that's just speaking in hypotheticals. As we've since discovered since this thread started, it's a moot point.

[veganinohio]

I thought you were calling for the execution of Tom Delay, which likely would save a number of lives. Either way, I'm for it.

[frenchie]

Who gives a flying **** about the family of the victim? It's not about them.

Yep....I agree 100%. I was so filled with rage when I heard the sister of the victim say that. FIne, you're getting your revenge on the man by putting him to death, but don't extend that revenge on an innocent person. It really made me see the human emotion involved in the death penalty.

[Dirty Martini]

Apparantly the family of the victim are outraged. I heard the family say (on the news) that they don't want him to be remembered as a hero that saved his sister's life.


That's really selfish :(

[Dirty Martini]

I thought you were calling for the execution of Tom Delay, which likely would save a number of lives. Either way, I'm for it.


LOL -- I have to admit I thought it was a hypothetical to see who would execute DeLay in order to save another life.

:p

[epski]

I thought you were calling for the execution of Tom Delay, which likely would save a number of lives. Either way, I'm for it.

Damn. Did it again. I entered this thread to say I thought this was about executiving Tom Delay. Not that I'd make any exceptions to my beliefs about capital punishment, but the imagery got my attention.

[ug333]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/05/25/johnson.execution.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

Well, it is over. He has been killed. The logic in this article makes sense. His weight and anit-bodies make him a bad option.