Article 9 of the Saudi Organ Donation Law
المادة 9 من نظام التبرع بالأعضاء البشرية
The article requires the medical team, if it considers it necessary to examine the organ to be donated, to observe the controls set by the regulations and not to conflict with the Sharia rules on research on organs.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا رأى الفريق الطبي -المكلف بإجراء الفحص الطبي على المتبرع أو إجراء عمليات نقل العضو البشري- ضرورة إجراء أي فحص على العضو البشري المراد التبرع به؛ فتجب مراعاة الضوابط التي تحددها اللائحة بما لا يتعارض مع أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية المقررة في شأن إجراء الأبحاث على الأعضاء البشرية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 9 explained in plain English
The medical team may need to run an examination on the organ to be donated itself, to confirm its soundness or suitability. This article regulates that as follows:
- Who decides on the examination: the medical team assigned to carry out the medical examination of the donor, or to carry out the organ transfer operations.
- When: if this team considers the examination necessary.
- Controls: the controls set by the Implementing Regulations must be observed. The text does not state their details.
- The Sharia limit: the examination must not conflict with the provisions of Islamic Sharia that apply to carrying out research on human organs.
In practical terms, a donated organ is not material for free experiment. Its examination is subject to legal and Sharia controls that protect the dignity of the donor and the sanctity of his body. This is consistent with Article 10, which requires respect for the donor's dignity and protecting him from degradation.
It also links to Article 8, which prohibits donation if the medical team believes the transplant will probably not succeed, since the examination may be a means of reaching that assessment.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 9 of the Saudi Organ Donation Law
May an organ be examined before it is transplanted?
Yes, if the medical team considers it necessary, provided the controls set by the regulations are observed.
Are there Sharia limits on examining organs?
Yes. The examination must not conflict with the provisions of Islamic Sharia that apply to research on human organs.
More articles on Procedures for Organ Transplant Operations
- Article 5
The article requires organ transfers to take place in a licensed facility in coordination with the Center, with a full psychological, social and medical examination of the donor, who must be informed of all the consequences.
في غير الأحوال المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثامنة) من النظام، لا يجوز إجراء عمليات نقل الأعضاء البشرية إلاّ بعد تحقق ما يأتي: 1- أن تُجرى في المنشآت الصحية المرخص
- Article 6
The article requires a licensed health facility that performs an organ removal from a donor to notify the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation immediately, so the Center can take the prescribed measures.
تلتزم المنشأة الصحية -المرخص لها وفق المادة (الخامسة عشرة) من النظام- التي تجرى لديها عملية استئصال العضو البشري من المتبرع، بأن تقوم بإبلاغ المركز في شأن ذلك ف
- Article 7
The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation determines whether a donated organ is suitable for transplant, in coordination with health facilities inside the Kingdom or, when needed, abroad, and may use medical committees.
يتولى المركز -بالتنسيق مع المنشآت الصحية التي يحددها داخل المملكة، أو خارجها عند الحاجة- مهمة تقرير مدى صلاحية العضو البشري المتبرع به المراد زراعته في جسم المت
- Article 11
The article leaves verifying death for organ donation to the conditions and controls set by the regulations, subject to the law's provisions on transferring organs from deceased persons.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في النظام في شأن نقل الأعضاء البشرية من المتوفين، يكون التحقق من الوفاة لأجل التبرع بالأعضاء البشرية وفقاً للأوضاع والضوابط التي تحددها اللائحة
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.