I'd like to get a debate going on the subject of organ donation. Gordon Brown has approved the "opt-out" system of organ donation, replacing the current "opt-in" system, whereby people who give no express order to have their organs kept are buried with them.    Personally, as a student of health sciences, I feel that this is a step in the right direction, as so many people neglect to express a wish either way and as a result, thousands or millions of people die for want of viable organs. At the moment, there are probably millions of people who have no great wish to have their organs when they're buried or cremated but who haven't expressed a wish to donate them to needy people.    I've seen so many people already griping over this proposal, saying it's an erosion of their rights. Their rights to what, exactly? To rot in one piece? To go up in smoke with the lives of maybe six other people? I realise that some people may be religious and think that maybe god won't let them into heaven after giving their organs to save someone else's life, but really it smacks of vanity and greed. To these people, I ask: If it was you who needed that organ, would you condone this behaviour? If it was a member of your family that needed a new heart, would you be complaining about this "harvesting"?    Having worked in a hospital, I can fully understand the dearth of organs in the NHS organ transplant system and it irks me that people think that doctors are harvesting people with their eyes and notebooks. The doctors' first job is to preserve the lives of their patients, not other people's. Giving your organs to another person after you die is the greatest gift a person can give, it's passing on your fading life to give someone a new, fuller life.    I realise this almost sounds like I'm being paid to sell the idea, but I know that when I die, I want to give my organs to someone else. It's a tragedy that so many organs go to waste because of apathy and ignorance. If people are really so vehemently opposed to giving their organs, they can say so. Those who are ignorant or indifferent are hardly likely to be too offended once their brains cease to function and they die, are they? And if their families are worried, they can opt out on their behalf, or one would hope so. Hopefully, the consultation will iron things out in this respect.  

I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks about this situation too. Please share!

P.S. Thanks to James, AKA Orwellian Trash on LiveJournal for the inspiration for this blog.

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I think the opt-out idea should have been introduced a long time ago!! I remember filling out a form to opt-in long ago. I always worry whether my records are still on file, as I have absolutely no idea where the card is that I was given when I filled out the form. 
I remember the form asking you to tick which organs they could take. I ticked all of them. Except for the box next to the corneas. I ain't having no-one messing with my eyes, Sorry! 
Although I'm guessing that if I ever have problems with my sight in later life, I would probably change my opinion on this! 
 
This can't be brought in soon enough. Just look at the number of people who say they would give blood, but never get around to it. Unfortunately once you've passed, you can't come back and say "actually, I wanted to donate my organs; I just never got around to opting-in"

Sarah Blatchford - Wed, 23 Jan 2008

 

 

I completely agree and I think this is a long overdue change to the law. There really isn't any justifiable counter-argument for this proposal save for perhaps a personal or possibly religious belief, however the opt-out provides for these situations. 
 
Given the shortage of blood and blood plasma it could well be argued that regular blood donations should be made compulsory for those in good health and at an appropriate age. Personally I'd hate that because I really don't like needles, but I would certainly support such a proposal and I'd just have to bite the bullet!

Morys Ireland - Thu, 24 Jan 2008