Transplants

[sunny-dave]

Getting away from the 'presumed consent' issue - although I may go back there as well - I'd like to pose a question ...

There are four possible combinations of answers to these two questions :

1. Would you accept a transplant?

2. Would you allow your organs to be used for transplantation after your death?

The combinations are

YES/YES

NO/NO

NO/YES

YES/NO

The first two are (self-evidently) consistent and honest - no problems there at all.

The third is unusual - but I can see circumstances where I might refuse a transplant (perhaps because of other health issues) but would still wish my organs to be used.

The fourth seems (to me) to be wholly hypocritical and unacceptable. Would anyone like to defend that position? Or what would you do if someone chose that option?

[hc4361]

Should there be cut off points for transplants? Age, other medical conditions, lifestyle such as drug addiction, serving a life sentence are a few examples that some people may believe should be bars to receiving organs.

[Peter Pedant]

what about depends/depends ?

I hve turned down a corneal transplant on the grounds I am tired of surgery and fiddling and I dont think it will be much good ( ie will make my double vision more clearly er double)

would I accept a last-chance transplant like Ste3ve JObs and thus deprive someone of a good chance ? Not sure I would

what about buying a kidney if I had the money.....?

and so you see there is more to it thanNO NO or YES YES

[dave50]

I dont understand why anyone refuses to donate their organs after death. It is totally illogical, what use are they rotting in the ground or being set on fire? Those that refuse should be denied any transplants they may need in the future. What goes around comes around as they say.

[paddywak]

Yes to both.I was a blood donor till I was rejected through health reasons after 74 donations, I've always carried a donor card and made my wishes known to my family. As Dave says when you're dead you're just a load meat waiting to rot so if they can do any good with my left overs they're welcome to them.

[albaqwerty]

Not sure / yes

Each of the 4 of us have signed up to the donor registry.

[kvalidir]

To answer HC, no, there should not be bars to receiving a transplant because things are not so black and white as 'are they a drug addict?', 'are they old?' etc. Someone might be an old drug addict and still do an immense amount of good in the world and brighten everyone's existence by their own and a young non addicted person might be a complete horror story of a person who causes nothing but misery wherever they go. You can't quantify the individual's effect on the greater good of the world so all must be equal.

[pixie374]

Yes, probably and yes.
The fourth option is because people aren't required to put in (to the NHS) to take out. It is supposed to be for anyone depending on need.
One of the worst examples is with asking for egg donation along with offering IVF. Women are in a very vulnerable position where they are highly likely to agree, just for the chance themselves. And then have to live with knowing another person may have given birth to one of their babies while treatment has failed for them. I don't agree with pressure and bullying. Education would be a better way.

[ladybirder]

Yes/Yes and also gave blood every year until I was too old. One question please if anyone knows the answer. Will they use a cadaver no matter what age it is? I ask this because of the age people are living to nowadays.

[pixie374]

It depends on the condition of the organs, lb.

[Old_Geezer]

The forth one is simply human nature. No wanting one's organs harvested before you are fully dead yet willing to accept the help of others as they have chosen to give it. I think pouring scorn on any of the four combinations isn't really the thing to do. It just allows one person the satisfaction of making another feel bad.

[pixie374]

I will add- I have never personally been asked about organ donation in real life. You have to be proactive about it. Even a tick box along with the electoral register might be a start.

[ladybirder]

Thanks pixie, makes sense.

[mikey4444]

Yes, of course I would accept a transplant.....by being offered one, then it should be presumed that I needed one and nothing else would do in its place.

Yes, of course I would allow my organs to be used for transplants.....why on earth would I not agree to that ?

[gness]

Lots of information to explore....this is a start....

[Barmaid]

Yes and yes.

I would also give blood, but I am more trouble than I am worth since I normally just pass out........