Organ donation

There is nothing in the Bahá’í Writings themselves which addresses the current issues of organ donation to science or for transplant. The Universal House of Justice has provided the following quote from the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith:

Concerning your question about the teachings of the Faith in connection with donating or receiving human organs, in a letter dated 6 September 1946 written on behalf of the beloved Guardian, it was stated that there was nothing in the Teachings which would forbid a Bahá'í to bequeath his eyes to another person or for a hospital, adding that it seemed a noble thing to do. The House of Justice feels that this statement applies equally to living bodies.

However, the issue of the treatment of the body of the donor needs to be considered, as in this quote from the Universal House of Justice:

Concerning organs received from a dead person, in a letter dated 26 June 1956, also written on his behalf, Shoghi Effendi pointed out: "... there is nothing in the Teachings to prevent a Bahá'í from willing his body for medical research after death. However, it should be made clear that the remains must be buried eventually and not cremated, as this is according to Bahá'í law."

Bahá’ís may make this wish clear through use of the will:

"Bahá'ís are permitted to specify in their wills that their bodies or organs of their bodies may be donated to the proper uses of science or the replacement of organs or organ parts."