Despite doing away with a law that prevented most organ transplants, Japan still has a dire shortage of donor organs.
Although Japan decided in June 1997 that organs could be taken upon the brain death of the donor, no heart, liver, or lungs have been transplanted since the new legislation was passed, the Associated Press reported on September 14. Prior to the new rule, organs could be taken only after the donor's heart had stopped beating.
The Associated Press also described several loopholes to the new law. For instance, even if a potential donor has been declared brain-dead, the family can still stop organs from being removed until after the heart stops beating. In addition, a donor's family can overrule the donor's written consent to give his or her organs following death.
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