Defining death: organ transplants, tradition and technology in Japan.
This article explores Japanese attitudes about brain death and organ transplantation. First, ancient burial customs and death-related rituals associated with Shinto and Buddhism are examined. Next, contemporary attitudes towards the dead are discussed in the context of current controversies surrounding brain death and organ transplantation. Finally, an attempt is made to link the traditional Japanese views of death with modern medical dilemmas.
D001293:Attitude to Death; D001926:Brain Death; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012945:Social Values; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014180:Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*