Attitudes toward Posthumous Harvesting and Reproduction

Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals

Y

33

Marital Status; Negative Attitudes; Death; Ethics; Birth; Predictor Variables; Health Personnel; Vignettes; Surveys; Academic Achievement; Religious Factors; Parent Attitudes; Human Body; Donors; Gender Issues; Context Effect

10.1080/07481180802359789

0748-1187

Attitudes toward posthumous harvesting of reproductive material and beliefs about medical professionals' obligation to assist were examined using a multiple segment factorial vignette survey design with 407 randomly selected respondents from a southern state. Attitudes and beliefs were primarily shaped by the vignette couple's marital status, parental support, and evidence of the deceased's wishes, as well as by respondents' religiosity and level of education. Three primary groups of respondents were identified: libertarians emphasized the survivor's rights, consentualists were skeptical until hearing that the deceased approved of the procedure, and persistent dissenters retained their negative attitudes despite the deceased's known wishes in favor of posthumous harvesting. Overall, attitudes and obligation beliefs were primarily in favor of posthumous harvesting when contextual circumstances deemed suitable were portrayed. (Contains 6 tables.)

As Provided

48

2008

EJ812468