Organ donation

A debate has started in the UK regarding the question of organ donation. At the moment, people who want to donate their organs after death carry a note to that effect, and consent is usually sought from next-of-kin before organs are removed.

This has left a shortage in organs, and in order to address this problem, the suggestion has been made that presumed consent be brought in. This means that everybody will donate their organs after death, unless they specify that they wish to opt out.

I can imagine that quite a few people will have problems with this idea, although I can understand why it has been mooted. I hope an intelligent debate with proper information can be held on this issue.

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This entry has 14 comments: (Add your own)

#14 Comment from justaname4me2
17/01/08 16:06 | Permalink

I'm of the mindset that if doctors (and I would hope a few would have an opinion in it....the old second, third, fourth, fifth, opinion variety) deem I am not going to recover, I would hope my family would allow them to take anything they wish from my body to help another.
It's a touchy subject, but I would hope that ultimately all people realize it's only for the help of the living...........why hold out on someone who is dead, or artificially alive when another could live?
Just my 3rd, 4th, and 5th thoughts,
Rebecca Anne
#13 Comment from wwfbison
17/01/08 15:44 | Permalink

I am in agreement with the other commentors regarding the fear of being "unplugged" too soon. This is a sensitive issue, I doubt any resolution will make all sides happy. Interested in following this story.
Lisa
#12 Comment from helmswondermom
17/01/08 15:20 | Permalink

I doubt this will ever go over well.
Lori
http://journals.aol.com/helmswondermom/DustyPages/
#11 Comment from peguera1
17/01/08 01:34 | Permalink

i carry a donor card, my wishes are on the register, so to speak. How long does each last for? And if they are not used..are they then destroyed? Bit of a mine field methinks..
#10 Comment from flawson87
16/01/08 23:58 | Permalink

Hey Guido,
I have told you before that my husband had a heart transplant, and he lived 2 more years before the transplanted heart failed. That is a very short time, since most receipients live many years after the transplant. But those 2 extra years we had were very precious because we knew if someone had not been a donor, we would not have had them. This person was in an accident and was brain dead so the family donated these organs. This is just a comment from someone on the other side of organ donation.
The 'presumed donation' will need some thought.
Frances

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Organ donation