On the question of removing life support in medical cases
where physiological intervention prolongs life in disabling and otherwise fatal
illnesses our Teachings indicate that God, the Giver of life, can alone dispose
of it as He deems best, and nothing has been found in the Sacred Text on these
matters specifically. Until such time as the Universal House of Justice considers
legislation on euthanasia, decisions in the matters to which you refer must be
left to the consciences of those responsible, within the limits prescribed by
the law of the land. 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.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 30 August
1988, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual;
compilation: ‘Reproduction and other Biological Subjects’, prepared by the
Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
