Technology3 mins ago
Shortage of Donors
23 Answers
As we have a huge shortage of donors in this country, should we have an opt-out system?
This strikes me as a quick and easy fix.
Alternatively, for adults, how about adopting a system whereby if you aren't a registered donor you forfeit the right to be a recipient?
This strikes me as a quick and easy fix.
Alternatively, for adults, how about adopting a system whereby if you aren't a registered donor you forfeit the right to be a recipient?
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CD..I agree that unless you have opted out, then on your demises, your organs could be legally "harvested"
There is an acute shortage of organs for transplant, kidneys being the commonest, but as liver damage due to alcoholism is the 5th commonest cause of death in the UK has brought livers into the picture.
There is an acute shortage of organs for transplant, kidneys being the commonest, but as liver damage due to alcoholism is the 5th commonest cause of death in the UK has brought livers into the picture.
the current system is fine, the system of identifying donors needs changing though so that willing donors are more easily identified, one of the problems is finding the donor card, so what about having a small tattoo somewhere? eg a D under the big toe. Just a thought.
The problem with opt out systems is you end up with paramedics playing god in the backs of ambulances, there is also some doubt as to whether a person is actually dead before organs are removed. Too many potential abuses.
The problem with opt out systems is you end up with paramedics playing god in the backs of ambulances, there is also some doubt as to whether a person is actually dead before organs are removed. Too many potential abuses.
These are rather typical scare stories you hear about donors - I can't recall ever seeing any evidence of treatment decisions being made based on donor needs - It always seems to be rumour. There are some pretty strict ethical rules surrounding it.
But even if we put that aside - if we had an opt out system donors would be much more plentiful and so there wouldn't be any pressure on doctors to make decisions like that anyway
But even if we put that aside - if we had an opt out system donors would be much more plentiful and so there wouldn't be any pressure on doctors to make decisions like that anyway
yep, the opt out system seems like common sense to me. i would imagine that anyone against it would change their mind if they or a loved one were in desperate need of a transplant and there wasn't one available under the current rules. isn't there a scandinavian country which already has the opt out system in place? wonder how they find it?
the opt out system doesn't force anyone to donate their organs does it, those who feel strongly against it just have to make a bit of an effort to make their wishes known.
should have a referendum about it.
the opt out system doesn't force anyone to donate their organs does it, those who feel strongly against it just have to make a bit of an effort to make their wishes known.
should have a referendum about it.
I think an opt out system is the way to go. Families are forced to make a tough decision at a very emotional time and I'm sure many people think allowing donation to go ahead is like giving up on a loved one who they hope can still pull through, no matter what the doctors say. My husband had to wait 10 years for a kidney and is eternally grateful to the family who gave their permission, but if the onus was taken off the next of kin and put onto those who don't want to donate then more lives would be saved or improved drastically. It is harder than ever to find a donor card now - they seem to want you to sign up online, but I think there are probably a lot of people out there who aren't against donation, they just haven't got around to it , don't know how to sign up or think it's a bit morbid to discuss with family.
You could have a point there. I daresay the majority of those who don't carry a donor are not unhappy at the prospect of their organs being used in the event of their untimely death - it's just that they haven't got round to getting a donor card. I'm not so sure that I would be happy to be a "live donor" but if I were to be a cadaveric donor, that would not bother me.
I think there should be an opt-out system, too many people need transplants and can't have them. At the moment someone is willing to donate but, if their families say no then their organs cannot be used. They can have anything of mine, if they are all right, I would hate anyone else to make the decision for me. If apathy is the case then hopefully there will be more organs to transplant, and more lives will be saved.
