Organ donation - opt out

[dave50]

Why do people object to having to opt out of donating their organs as is being suggested? What use are they to anyone, left to rot in the ground or burnt in an incinerator? What a waste. There is no logical argument against organ donation, it's just supersticious selfish nonsense that causes a shortage of donors.

[EvianBaby]

The problem with the current opt-in system is that many people are well intentioned but simply don't think to actually register for the donor scheme. When the their time comes, their family are left to make the decision for them whilst in a highly emotional state and I expect that many relatives at the time of a death would chose not to let the organs be donated.

If there was an opt-out system then everyone would know what was expected and there would be no questions to ask of bereaved (sp) relatives.

[flip_flop]

We are talking about a specific issue - to extend the argument that having an opt-out system is the thin edge of the wedge and sets an unpalatable precedent doesn't stand up to much scrutiny.

[B00]

sunny-dave- "Can anyone honestly say "I would refuse a transplant if I needed it" ... "

A Jehovah's Witness would....

[sunny-dave]

@kayless - that's a (harsh but fair) logical extension of my argument

Do you think that an adult who is fundamentally opposed to the donation of blood (on religious or any other grounds) should be eligible for transfusion .... why should they benefit from the altruism of others who they believe are performing a morally wrong act?

[sunny-dave]

@B00 - yes and (whilst not agreeing with them) I utterly respect the consistency of their position

[sp1814]

A couple of posters have come up with what I think is a BRILLIANT idea.

You can choose to opt out, and if you do, you forfeit the right to receive any organs, and and when you ever need a liver, heart, kidneys etc.

The only thing I could see messing this up is if someone is recently diagnosed with a disease affecting these organs, rushing out to sign a donor card...and also there are those who would call it state-sponsored bribery.

But I still like it.

[B00]

Me too, but you asked if anyone would say they'd turn down an organ if they needed one, I just pointed out that a JW would.

[rockyracoon]

My friend did a bit of a study on organ donation for her degree course (nursing), she asked everyone to complete a questionaire regarding opt in, opt out, and she was surprised at peoples responses, in the main they were happy to give their organs but would opt out, it seemed that there was an enormous distrust in Dr's and the health service, not being helped by the scandal at Alder Hey.

[cathfromsaron]

my mother believes that doctors try less hard to save people if they can harvest the suitable organs ... i know its illogical but she will be set on opting out, even though she's too old anyway!!

[Zeuhl]

As this is effectively giving assumed rights over our bodies (at death) to the authorities or 'society', maybe we should have a Referendum.

[joko]

i suppose when it sht other way round, people have all sorts of reasons for not opting in - forgot, cant be bothered, dont like to think of it etc etc and then organs get wasted

this way anyone who actually has a major wish to refuse, will make the effort to go to the site and opt out

many wont even think about it until they are dead...and then its too late to care or object

[LazyGun]

Pragmatism and enlightened self-interest should be the guiding principles here. We currently run an opt-in system, have done for many years. Despite this, we still find ourselves with a waiting list of approximately 8-9,000 cases a year, and an ability to only perform transplants on around 3,500 or so a year. Given that for some on the list to need a transplant at all,they are likely to be seriously ill, with a degraded quality of life and reduced life expectancy, a substantial proportion of those awaiting a transplant will die befoer they ever get one.

As I think it was evianbaby pointed out, most people, when asked, say that they support the concept of a donor programme, and find it worthy that people would carry a card - many more might elect to become donors, if they were chased - its like with many other things, the everyday things of life get in the way, and so the donor population remains largely static, despite pretty much everyone being aware of it.

On balance, a well advertised change to an opt out scheme, with plenty of notice given, seems a good idea to me.

There is a lot of work going into synthetic or artificial organs which look very promising in the medium term so such requirements as a donor registration scheme might soon be a thing of the past anyway.

[Zeuhl]

If this system does get under way can i put my name down for a Hammond as played by Jon Lord on the classic 'In Rock' album.

[jno]

"why should they benefit from the altruism of others who they believe are performing a morally wrong act?"

If people are only prepared to donate organs to others like them, it's not altruism at all, it's just insurance. Altruism is being prepared to donate to people who woudn't do it themselves.

[sp1814]

One other thing to be considered - maybe people don't opt in for the same reason why so many people my age and younger (40s) don't yet have a will draw up. By doing so, and by signing over your organs, you're accepting death. It would be interesting to see the breakdown in figures by age - if it turns out that the largest group of on-donors are in the 18-45 group, advertising could be changed to focus on them - "Face It - You're Going To Die One Day - Give Us Your Stuff You Greedy B*stards".

[Haggisdj]

I believe the organ donation is a different subject to who owns the body after death.

As far as I am aware the State does own your body the second that you die. No family members or friends have any say over whether the body is to receive a post mortem or not. The body is not released to the next of kin until the State is finished with it.

[sallybb]

I would be more in favour of the opt in , you carry a card to say your prepared to donate organs.. If you carry a card that says you opt out, whose to say that unscrupulous nurse doctor, doesn't conveniently discard it.

[sara3]

anyone who would accept a donated organ (or on behalf of their child/elderly parents, etc)) should be prepared to donate themselves.

same for blood donation. get out there and do it, if you can.