Language plays an important role in the misconceptions and fears about organ, eye, and tissue donation. When talking about donation, it’s important to consider how the general public may perceive certain language. By avoiding terminology that may cause concern, you will help further understanding and improve the overall acceptance of the donation process.
Please be cautious of the following terminology when you discuss organ donation in your community.
- “Recover” organs instead of “Harvesting”
“Harvest” is a word that has long been used by the medical community. However, the word harvest is often associated with crops, crows and combines. It can be unpalatable, especially to donor families, when associated with their loved ones’ organs. The word “recovery” helps people understand that removal of a loved one’s organs and tissues for transplant is a respectable surgical procedure. - “Deceased Donor” or “Deceased Donation” instead of “Cadaver” or “Cadaveric”
In the past, the term donor did not require any specificity. Today as more people choose to become living donors, there is a need to distinguish between living and deceased donors. Reportedly, the term cadaveric depersonalizes the fact that a gift was offered to someone upon an individual’s death. The word cadaver is defined as “dead bodies intended for dissection,” which does not display the honor and respect we give to all individuals who have courageously chosen to give the gift of life. - “Ventilated Support”
The terms “mechanical” or “ventilated support” are appropriate for the support given to a deceased person in the event of organ, eye and tissue donation.
There are two ways to determine death:- Circulatory death: the heart stops beating and there is irreversible loss of circulatory function.
- Brain death: the irreversible loss of brain function.
The term “life support” proves to be a confusing term when used in conjunction with brain death. When death occurs, there is no support that can make the individual live again.
