1 Medical measures intended solely to preserve organs, tissues or cells may only be undertaken prior to the death of the donor if the donor has been informed comprehensively and has freely given their consent.
2 If the donor is incapable of judgement and has not given their consent, measures in terms of paragraph 1 may only be carried out if the next of kin consent, and the measures meet the requirements of paragraph 3 letters a and b. The decision of the next of kin shall be guided by what they believe the deceased person would have wanted.
3 If they are uncertain as to what the donor would have wanted, the next of kin may consent to measures under paragraph 1 if these:
- a.
- are essential for the successful transplantation of organs, tissue or cells; and
- b.
- any risk or harm to the donor is minimal.
4 The Federal Council shall specify which measures do not meet the requirements of paragraph 3 letters a and b. It shall consult interested groups beforehand.
5 The next of kin may consent to measures under paragraph 1 only when it has been decided to discontinue life support measures.
6 Measures under paragraph 1 are not permitted if the donor is incapable of judgement and there are no next of kin or no next of kin can be contacted.
7 Such measures are also prohibited if they:
- a.
- hasten the death of the donor;
- b.
- may lead to the donor entering a permanent vegetative state.
8 If a person has not declared their intention to donate, measures under paragraph 1 may be carried out after the death of the donor until the next of kin have reached a decision. The Federal Council shall specify the maximum length of time during which such measures may be carried out.
9 Article 8 paragraph 6 applies mutatis mutandis.