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Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Wednesday December 6, 1978 The West German transplant controversy By GUNTER HAAF HAMBURG, WEST GERMANY — To hear some of the rhetoric, it would seem that Dr. Frankenstein had returned to manufacture monsters out of corpses. In fact, the controversy currently raging here is over proposed legislation to improve ways of transplanting hearts, kidneys, liv ers, eyes and other vital organs from the dead to the living. The bill, introduced into the West German legislature by the federal gover- ment a couple of months ago, would au thorize surgeons to perform a transplant unless a citizen specifically registered re fusal on his or her identity card; or stated an objection to the operation before his death. The aim of the legislation, in other words, is to put the burden of refusal on the individual, and, as a consequence, in crease the number of potential donors whose organs could be transferred to those who need them. But the bill, which promises to provoke likely debate when it comes up in the legislature this winter, has already prompted politicians, physicians, theolo gians and others to speak out on the issue, and much of the discussion is highly emo tional. The issue certainly merits serious dis cussion, since it raises several complicated medical, legal, moral and economic ques tions. Transplant operations, while not exactly routine, have been rising steadily throughout the world. More than 25,000 kidney transplants have taken place in the United States within the past generation. and heart and liver transplants are on the increase. Cornea and ear bone transplants are not uncommon, but the transfer of or gans like the pancreas, spleen and small intestine is still in the experimental stage. Advanced though it may be in many re spects, West Germany has been behind in this field. For example, some 1,500 West Germans a year ought to have kidney transplants in order to free them from cumbersome dialysis. But only 172 kid neys were transplanted by surgeons here in 1976. One strong argument for more kidney transplants is that the maintenance of some 10,000 West Germans on dialysis costs a total of $150 million a year, while an operation can be performed for only $1,200. Nor is there a lack of kidneys. Ex perts estimate that of the 15,000 traffic fatalities annually, 2,000 are probable kid ney donors. For years, doctors here have been hin dered in performing transplants, partly because the law based on principles set down a century ago is ambiguous. Volun tary donors have also been scarce. In 1974, acting with government encouragement, a group of specialists began drafting legislation that, in their es timation, would help the living while re specting the dead. Within a year, they had written a bill that would allow surgeons to perform transplants except on persons whose iden tity cards contained a clear notation oppos ing the operation. This appeared to conform with West German attitudes as expressed in opinion surveys. According to the polls, roughly half of those queried said that they favored organ transplants “without reservation,” and another 25 percent replied that they were inclined to subscribe to them. But even while the legislation was being drafted, various groups surfaced with as sorted recommendations and amend ments. In one West German state, for in stance, the opposition Christian Demo cratic Union introduced a local bill stipulating that potential donors ought to consent to transplants rather than merely register their refusal. In September, the federal government produced a final version of its bill, and this has compounded the controversy because of the complexities of the issue. Among other things, the definition of death is un clear to certain critics of the legislation. According to the bill, death is estab lished if blood circulation has stopped for at least three hours. But because kidney and liver transplants are useless three hours after the circulatory system has ceased to function, the legislation au thorizes the operation if two physicians in dependently confirm that the brain has stopped operating. Some experts submit, however, that this is too vague, since modern medical equipment can keep a heart beating for months and even years even though the brain has died. Another quarrel has arisen, meanwhile, over the passage in the bill that would use a citizen’s identity card as the indicator of his or her willingness to have a transplant performed. A group of Catholic bishops hostile to the legislation has said, for example, that it is both legally and ethically “inadmissable” for the absence of an objection to a trans plant on an identity card to mean consent to the operation. Other critics contend, moreover, that use of the identity card at all as an indica tor is a violation of privacy. And still others have warned that safeguards must be taken to assure against the forgery of iden tity cards. One solution to this problem, now ac cepted by supporters of the bill, would be to make the transplant notation invisible on identity cards. Ultimately, though, the real question at stake in this controversy concerns the conduct of doctors. Here, as elsewhere in the world, decisions are made rapidly by physicians, and as Nobel Prize laureate Werner Forssmann recently cautioned, it is important that they do not develop too liberal a view toward what he called “spare-part surgery.” The legislation seeks to avoid this danger by requiring that doctors docu ment in detail all the facts leading up to their decision to perform a transplant. In that way, it is hoped, they will be discour aged from acting hastily. Despite the squabbling, then, it appears that West Germany will eventually join most other West European nations in pass ing an effective law governing transplants. At that stage, the link between the living and dead will be improved by what one specialist has termed a “treaty of mutual interest.” (Haaf writes on science and technology for Die Zeit, the West German weekly newspaper.) To China-watchers: Here’s mud in your eye By DICK WEST WASHINGTON — It has become clear during the past fortnight that something curious is happening in China again. About all that is known for certain is that wall posters critical of the late Mao Tsetung have appeared in Peking for the first time. But that is all it takes to give China-watchers another one of their finest hours. bumperstickers criticizing Abraham Lin coln. In the circumstances, everything that comes out of China, no matter how obscure or trivial, is being examined for portents and hidden meanings — usually Humor Thus far, they have come up with two elaborate interpretations. One theory is that the posters grq the sign of a, power struggle between Premier Huiat Kuo-feng, a Mao man, and Vice Premier Teng Hsiao-ping. The other is that the posters are no more significant that* would be American with some success. Would like like to try your hand at a bit of Chinawatching? Then see what you make of this: At a banquet during his November visit to Peking, Agriculture Secretary Bob Bergland exchanged toasts with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Li-kung. Texts of their remarks recently made available by the Agriculture Department show that Bergland raised his glass “to the health of Chairman Hua, to the health of President Carter, to the health of my new friend Yang, to the health of our new Chinese friends, to the health of your new American friends.” Yang, for his part, drank “to the health of President Carter, to the health of Am bassador Woodcock and Mrs. Woodcock, to the health of all the American friends and Chinese comrades here. Bottoms up!” To the untrained eye, Yang’s toast might appear routine and commonplace. But when you hold it up to the light and slosh ft around a little, you begin to get a China-watcher’s perspective. Note, for example, that while both Bergland and Yang proposed toasts to the U.S. president’s health, only the Ameri can toasted the Chinese premier’s health. Surely that tells us something about the political situation over there. Although Yang presumably joined Berg land in drinking to Hua’s health, there is a world of difference between joining a toast and proposing one. The former is perfunctory, the latter calculated. And there’s more. Note that Yang ended his toast with the words “bottoms up!” In other circumstances, that might sound like an innocuous call for the empty ing of glasses. To a China-watcher, how ever, it appears ambiguous. As vice premier, Teng ranks between Hua. Viewed in that context, “bottoms up” also becomes a toast to Teng’s impend ing rise to the top. A China-watcher can only conclude that the situation looks pretty bad for Hua. But not as bad as it would have looked had Teng’s toast ended with “down the hatch.” Letters to the Editor Athletes need to show Aggie spirit too Editor: Because of an unpleasant incident at the A&M-ORU basketball game, we believe there is a need to write this letter. Most of the student body is probably aware of the incident, so let us briefly explain the situa tion. A&M and ORU had been involved in a tight game with the lead changing often. In an effort to give A&M momentum, the partisan crowd was on its feet most of the second half, fervently doing yells and clapping. All but a few student-athletes participated in the yells. It is to those few that this letter is directed. A&M like most colleges and universities projects the image that its athletes are not just “jocks” but students interested in re ceiving an education as well as backing their school. Because we know some of them, we are confident that A&M has student-athletes who exemplify this spirit. But after viewing the behavior of the aforementioned athletes, we are also con- Talk with Dr. Miller Dear Dr. Miller: I hate rainy days and Fridays — because that is when it seems to be the hardest to catch an Intra-Campus bus from work to class and back. Dear A&M — the Intra- Campus bus system is a free service and a much appreciated one. Because of the parking problems, it is also a much needed service. However, it is about as reliable as a politician’s campaign promise. I realize buses break down, and bus drivers often have legitimate reasons for not being able to come to work. But TEI should be adequately staffed and equipped with stand-by drivers and buses to compensate for much of this. I feel sorry for the drivers who do show up, because they catch the brunt of the students’ anger for having waited 25 minutes at a stop — and they are the ones who are doing their jobs well. Some people may have started thinking the Intra-Campus system was a dumb idea to begin with, because many of the buses run almost empty. My guess is that the service is so undependable for those bound by time, that a lot of students have had to find other methods of getting “across the tracks. ” TEI should try being totally de pendable for several months and see how business is then. I do not know what A&M pays TEI for this service. Perhaps it is not enough for TEI to maintain an efficient system. Perhaps TEI is soaking A&M. That is really for the administration to figure out. All I know is that an intra-campus system is going to become a lot more necessary as A&M grows. I have considered very seriously riding a bike, but my dexterity in this particular area would probably endanger many of my fellow Aggies. Can somebody help? —Linda Clark, ’79 Dear Linda: Thank you for sharing your concern with me about the problems associated with the intra-campus shuttle bus system. I can assure you that the administration is aware of the problems and has been attempting to take positive steps to minimize them. It is true that there have been both mechanical and human failures associated with the system. The maintenance and personnel supervision problems have been dis cussed at length with the executive officers of Transportation Enterprises Incorpo rated, the contractor for the service. We hope that substantial improvement in the quality of the service will result. A third intra-campus route is to be established between the Soil and Crop Sciences Building area and the Memorial Student Center-Health Center area. This new route was to be initiated on Monday morning, Dec. 4 and will provide bus service at about five minute intervals. The University Shuttle Bus Committee, chaired by Mr. Gene Oates and consisting of faculty, staff, and students, has been working hard to alleviate the problems that have existed with the system. They share my concern in providing a service that will be tailored to meet the needs of students. I would suggest that if the problem persists, you contact Mr. Gene Oates at 845-8020 and make your concerns known. I appreciate your bringing this matter to our attention. —Jarvis E. Miller President fident that A&M has student-athletes who do not exemplify this spirit, i.e., they are jocks. The case in point here involves Mike Mosley who did not once “hump it” during the game, and when prodded to do so by some students, made an obscene gesture to those students. We are not questioning the athletic abil ity of Mosley as he has represented A&M well in his athletic role; however, his re sponse to his fellow students does make us question Mike’s attitude in fulfilling his role as a student. Because of our love for A&M and our respect for Mosley as an athlete, we encourage him to examine his role as a student hoping that he may realize his purpose here at A&M. We congratulate all of A&M’s student- athletes for representing A&M well and wish them continued good luck. —Richard Barton, ’79 Keith Smathers, ’80 John O’Donnell, ’81 ‘Hump it, jocks’ Editor: I noticed something Monday night at the basketball game that made me wonder what Aggie Spirit is all about. Why is it that the student body can stand during four quarters of a football game and a few of our athletes find it difficult to stand dur ing the yells at the basketball games? To me, “humping it” during a yell shows the pride that we have in being Aggies. We should be honored to be able to stand and yell for the various athletic teams at A&M, not only the football team. So how bout it jocks, do you think you can find the energy to stand during yells and show the rest of the student body that you have as much pride in Texas A&M as they do? —Chris Griffin, ’80 Ag support inspiring Editor: I thought I knew every tradition and felt every thrill about being an Aggie. Boy was I wrong! When I arrived at Memorial Stadium last Friday night, (beat the hell out of t. u.), I yelled my lungs out (still hoarse) and supported the fighting Aggie team with the rest of the twelfth man. As the teasips began to count down their remaining seconds. Aggies were about to show their endless realm of support for A&M. One Ag in my section yelled for everyone to move over behind the band. As this was happening, I smiled at all those ’sips who had a bewildered look and were wondering what this swarm of Aggies were about to perform. Much to their re lief it was a yell practice but it seemed to be a very special practice compared to others I have been to. (Boy, was it loud and proud!) Leaving Memorial Stadium with a huge lump of pride I can easily say we won it in our hearts. (Beat the hell outta Iowa State. . . and t. u. in ’79) —Jean Vite, ’81 P.S. This letter is not directed to all athletes, only those few who don’t stand for yells. Also, the display that one of our respected football players had after being asked to “hump it” during the game with Oral Roberts was childish and uncalled for. Unspirited ‘salute’ Readers’ F orum Guest viewpoints, in addi tion to Letters to the Editor, are welcome. All pieces sub mitted to Readers' forum should be: • Typed triple space • Limited to 100 lines • Limited to 60 characters per line Editor: At Monday night’s basketball game our esteemed starting quarterback, Mike Mosley, committed an act which will surely endear him in the hearts of many Aggies. Because he did not “hump it” during several yells a number of students loudly suggested that he should. Mosley’s re sponse was to give the audience a middle finger salute. Now we realize that no one is forced to yell for A&M. And it is also possible that Mosley was still upset over Friday night’s game. But that does not give him the right to flip off the student body. Mr. Mosley should realize that those students are the same ones who were still standing and yelling when we were behind 33-0, 24-6, 22-7, etc. If he receives a less than enthusiastic response in his next appearance on the football field perhaps he should remember his middle finger. —Robert Williams, ’80 Elusive week Editor: No, Virginia, there isn’t a “dead week;” it only exists as an enticing but intangible mirage in the desert of academia where the Aggies are left without a camel. — Anthony A. Albracht, ’81 «. i T*' , ;,;.V • v,, ■ • . 7T7T • Top of the News CAMPUS Plant Sciences receives grant Texas A&M University’s Plant Sciences Department has received a $5,000 unrestricted grant from the Merk Foundation of Rahway, N.J. Dr. Howard Joham, department head, said the funds will be spentto improve teaching and to allow students to work with live specimens. Edwin Koldenhaven of Denton presented the grant and said this is the first year of a two-year $10,000 commitment to the department. The Sanctuary Choir of the First Baptist Church in College Station will present its annual Christmas cantata Sunday. This year the can tata is entitled, ‘‘Everybody Will Be Praisin’ the Lord” and is written by Jerry Nelson. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the First Baptist Church in College Station at 200 College Main. Tfrere is no charge for the public performance. STATE Desegregation case returned The Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a Beaumont, Texas, school desegregation case returned to a lower court for consid eration of Justice Department complaints. The decision from Wash ington, in effect, upheld a ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans which sent the South Park Independent School District case back to Judge Joe L. Fisher for further proceed ings. The Justice Department has asked Fisher to reconsider a 1976 desegregation plan he approved for the affluent, predominantly white district. The plan relieo largely on neighborhood attendance zones. Assistant IRS chief held hostage A former Internal Revenue Service employee, disgruntled over a late retirement check, Monday held hostage the local assistant IRS director for three hours in Austin before releasing him unharmed. FBI agents arrested William Michael Boyd, 31, who was expected to be arraigned Tuesday before a U.S. magistrate. Assistant IRS director Howard Longley was released unharmed. An employee who was near Longley’s office when Boyd approached about 4 p.m. said thefprmer employee was carrying a pistol. Tire FBI, however, would not con firm that a weapon was used. NATION Aragon announces resignation Striking firemen reach settlement Pan Am to remain in New York WORLD Basque guerrillas kill 3 officers Pope to fly to Mexico next month Pope John Paul II will fly to Mexico next month to inaugurate the third Latin American Bishops Conference in his first trip outside Italy since being elected, Vatican sources said Tuesday. Though the Vati can would not officially confirm the papal trip, Vatican kes said it was certain the pontiff would attend the conference. The Latin American Bishops Conference opens at Puebla near Mexico City Jan. 27 and about 3,000 prelates from the region are expected to attend. WEATHER Cloudy skies and colder temperatures with a 30% chance of rainfall. Temperatures will be falling to the mid 40’s by noon. Low today 30 and high in the mid 50’s. Winds will be northerly at 10-15 mph. Cloudy skies, windy, and cold rain the rest of the week. * Christmas cantata scheduled Sunday Joseph W. Aragon, special assistant to the president and the high est ranking Hispanic in the White House, said Tuesday in Washing ton he has resigned and will return early next year to his femily business in California. He said he will remain at the White House probably until late January or early February to help presidential assistant Hamilton Jordan search for a successor. Negotiators for striking firemen and the city of Lake Charles, La., reached a tentative settlement Tuesday that gives workers an un specified pay raise partly dependent on passage of a sales tax increase. Lake Charles firemen went on strike Wednesday demanding a 13 percent pay increase. The city said it could not afford to give more than the 7.5 percent promised for all city employees y the 1979 budget. Wit Stilt a pi ver* stuc app Joe Ken fron Joe H ri) W robbi tume passe Th King crimi obtai A ! sawe trial. W amer vicar “A throi a thii Four Th Pan American Airlines Tuesday announced plans to buy the land under its office building for $25 million and reaffirmed its commit ment to keep its world headquarters in New York City. Pan Ams announcement came several weeks after American Airlines said it was moving its operations to Dallas and Tulsa, taking 2,500 jobs in the metropolitan area with it. Pan Am Chairman William Seawell said the company’s decision "reflects the business climate generated by the city’s aggressive economic program.” scare be ej Th wher the e Ju; Thur sion peo] Basque separatist guerrillas, attacking on the eve of a national re ferendum on Spain’s new democratic constitution, shot three police officers to death Tuesday in a Madrid bar. The killings in the city of San Sebastian near the French border raised the number of victims of Basque terrorism since Oct. 1 to 30. Twenty of the dead were policemen. Authorities, fearing renewed violence by ETA (Basque Homeland and Liberty) guerrillas, have placed the four Basque prov inces in northern Spain on a “state of technical alarm.” The Battalion LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are subject to beinf' cut to that length or less if longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed, show the address of the writer and list a telephone number for verification. Address correspondence to Letters to the Editor, The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor . .. KimTys* Managing Editor Liz Ned* Assistant Managing Editor .Andy William Represented nationally by National Educational Adver tising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday from September through May except during exam and holiday periods and the summer, when it is published on Tuesday through Thursday. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. Sports Editor .David City Editor Jamie Aifc Campus Editor Steve 1* News Editors Debbie Paw® Beth Calhoun Staff Writers Karen Rogers, Mai Patterson, Scott Pendletoa Sean Petty, Michelle Scuddei Diane Blake, Lee Roy Leschpe Jr., Dillard Stone Cartoonist DougGratai 1 Photographers Ed Cunniiis Lynn Blanco Focus section editor Gary Weld Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the University administration or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is a non-profit, supporting enterprise operated bij stiulenti as a university and community newsptpt Editorial policy is determined by the edi/iif
