Opt out organ donation system

[JH]

The truth remains that not enough people donate and some people have not even considered. This will help encourage people to at least think on the issue. Aside from the clear benefits to the recipient, it is also a much more cost effective treatment than needing long term dialysis.

[terpineol]

I'll second OhCanada on that, why on earth not donate organs?

Its not like people kick up a fuss about presumed consent for them to get speeding tickets if appropriate. Its simply a measure to ensure best possible care for the majority.

If you die without leaving a will, the state wonders off with pretty much everything, i fail to see what makes organs any different.

[OhCanada]

Well I am not about to say that my organs are the same thing as that antique clock that has been in the family for a few years.....BUT it is not like my kidneys are going to be any use to my kids......on the other hand this does bring up the question of should people be able to earmark who gets their organs, like an organ will??

[Dr Rob]

For me it is entierly ethical that organs belong to the NHS after death. If people have an opt out, then anyone with a view can choose to opt out if they wish. However i do not think i am alone in thinking that in general people are lazy and do not want the hassel of filling out vast forms, (which is why there are not as many donars as there should be) so the form to opt out should be easy to fill out and no more than a page long, and require nothing more than a passport a photo and some identifying information. This should be easy and hassel fee for those who opt out, and the forms could be found in super markets and post offices.

For me it is a duty to donate my organs. I think what is to be valued about a person is their consciousness, this is what the body houses, and i think is a doctors duty to maintain in as best a condition as possible. After death the body no longer has a consciousness and so no longer has a purpose, other than to be used by someone to improve their life.

[Muffin2]

i think its about bloody time. its a fantastic idea thats going to save lives.

[Polldoll]

I also think that this is an excellent idea, and long overdue. I actually was on a local radio talk show a few months ago about the whole organ/blood donation. My main question that I put to people, is if you needed an organ/blood tranfusion then would you expect it to be there for you?? If you are willing to take, then you should be willing to give. It cant get any simpler than that.

And I do believe that there are alot of people out there that just havent got round to it, when it comes to filling out donation consent. Therefore, if they feel that strongly about it, then they will have to actually act.

I found it strange how many members of the public responded to the radio show, they hadnt even considered it, didnt know about the shortages etc. But the main point that was taken up by the public was the fact that they felt gay men were discriminated against when it came to blood donation. The majority thought that made the NHS homophobic cause we didn't want their blood.

Anyway, Im all for organ opt out system!!
Px

[Arch_Angel]

Opt out organ donation:

For those who don't want it there is a simple 5000 page form to fill out (in Latin), an opera on why you're such a selfish person to compose, research on how to grow the organ to contribute to and they'll take you around a hospital for 3 weeks showing you terminal "organ needing" patients and allow you to explain why you need your organs when you die.

Opters out = 0

Perfect.

Sarcasm aside, I think this is a good idea long over due.

[heed]

i think the proposed opt-out system is a great thing and has been far too long coming. the system as proposed has operated for years in other european nations (France and Switzerland to name two) to great effect - nothing like the organ shortage that exists here in the 51st state.

i do not agree that an opt-out system would impinge on the potential donor's right to autonomy - if the system was adequately publicized so that everyone was aware of the status quo and their ability to (easily) opt-out. Simply carrying a card is not the way to enure a robust register of "objectors" - there would need to be a locally searchable live database available to doctors at the bedside (as exists in France) in addition to a system of optional med-alert bracelets and markings on your driving license.

I think poll-doll hit it on the head - in the UK there is no such thing as civic resposibility. "I have a RIGHT to smoke 40 a day - a RIGHT to refuse smoking cessation - a RIGHT to not be a donor - and a RIGHT to get a transplant if i need it" ??? pretty shoddy.

[Pammy]

If you look more closely at studies about countries where opt-out systems are in place, you'll realise that it's not that simple. It's not easy to compare different countries due to a variety of reasons including different disease profiles, different transplant system organisation units (e.g. it makes a huge difference how well coordinated the system is - can really raise transplant rates). The evidence is not clear-cut!

And I still believe, no matter how well publicised, there will be people who may be unaware, e.g. people who do not speak English so well or who never go and see their GPs. In addition, in many countries where such a system is in place, it is not just the patient who can opt out. The family of the patient can also object (once the patient is already dead). It is hard to see how you could not allow them to do that as the patient was only presumed to have opted in and never made it clear that it was his express wish to donate organs. What would you do when facing extremely upset family members? Huge disputes have arisen between families, doctors etc.

In my opinion, the best system would neither be one where people have to opt in, nor one where they have to opt out, but one where they merely have to opt - one way or the other, i.e. everyone has to make a choice...

Pammy

[Polldoll]

Does anyone know how this will be publicised?? I believe that the opt-out form should be available online.. A quick form to click you do not want to be a donar. But it also should be available, perhaps in supermarkets, in the post office, given out with pensions and in GP surgerys.

A campaign also is needed of course reminding people that they do have a choice to make and that it is THEIR responsibility to actually act on their decison. If they feel so strongly about not being a donar, it is not that difficult to opt-out, and if they never actually get round to it, well then who's fault is that??