Qatar passes law on organ donation

Qatar passed a law yesterday that allows organ donation for transplant by people who are not related to recipients. The only condition the legislation specifies for such donations is that the transplant must be urgent and without which the recipient cannot be treated or his life cannot be saved.

Moreover, an ethics committee at the hospital where the transplant is to take place must approve the donation. Children and people with unsound mind are barred from making organ donation even if their parents or guardians or legal representatives have given consent.

Any kind of trade in human organs is not allowed and their sale or purchase is an offence punishable with a jail term of up to 10 years and fine of up to a million riyals or both. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued Law Number 15 of 2015 regulating the transplant of human organs.

The law has come into force and is to be published in the official gazette, reports Qatar News Agency (QNA). Doctors and other medical workers found involved in transplants that are illegal will be liable to jail term and fine or either as mentioned.

A donor must be told in writing by medical experts about the consequences of donating an organ.

And a hospital or medical facility carrying out a transplant must be licensed for the purpose. It must also have an ethics committee. The donor must be satisfied in all ways about donating the organ. He must not be put to any health risks.

A donor can change his mind at the last moment and withdraw and refuse to donate at the last moment without citing any reason. No living person can donate an organ for scientific studies and research. Organs for the purpose or for transplant can only be removed from dead people with permission from their legal heirs.

No transplant of genitals or tissues or cells from genitals is allowed if it could lead to confusion over lineage. The law has 28 articles. The Peninsula

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