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Beyond Belief

Religion & Ethics

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

Beyond Belief: Organ Donation

12/08/2013

Organ Donation

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, Organ Donation

Ernie Rea discusses the complex religious and ethical arguments around organ donation.

Thousands die each year waiting for an organ transplant. Ernie Rea discusses the religious and ethical arguments around the latest proposals for tackling the issue.

Beyond Belief debates the place of religion and faith in today's complex world. Ernie Rea is joined by a panel to discuss how religious beliefs and traditions affect our values and perspectives.

Three people die every day in need of an organ transplant while only 31% of people in the UK have joined the Organ Donor Register. Technological advancements mean there are ever more advanced ways of successfully transplanting organs but society remains divided over solutions along ethical and religious lines. Last month the Welsh Assembly became the first UK country to introduce a system where individuals will be presumed to have consented for their organs to be donated unless they opt out. Should the state take our organs or should it be the ultimate altruistic gift?

Joining Ernie Rea to discuss organ donation are Reverend George Pitcher, Anglican Priest at St Bride's, Fleet Street, Janet Radcliffe-Richards, Professor of Practical Philosophy at the University of Oxford. And Mohammed Zubair Butt, Islamic scholar and hospital chaplain.

Producer: Catherine Earlam.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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