Shortage of Organ Donors

[AB Editor]

As the country has a shortage of those willing to donate organs upon their death should the country adopt a different donation policy?

 

This poll is closed.

Should the Organ Donation System Be Changed?

• Yes, an "opt-out" system should be imposed. - 31 votes
• 61%
• No, the current system is fine. - 12 votes
• 24%
• A "Opt-In" system which excludes those not registered for organ donation from receiving organ donations themselves if preferable. - 8 votes
• 16%

See final stats

Stats until: 08:30 Fri 21st Mar 2025 (Refreshed every 5 minutes)

© AnswerBank Ltd 2000 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.

[Sqad]

soc....I respect that and understand their wishes, but i assume that you would rest in piece knowing that you or your families organs were burning or rotting in a grave when they could be saving the lives of dying children and young adults who would be saved by your wasted organs.

[society]

Oh... Sqad I forgot to thank you for answering my question.

if the organs are still alive, then why will the body die? lack of oxygen? surely oxygen could be pumped into the lungs? right?

if it's a need for blood, one could be given blood

i know my questions are nonsense and endless but they've always plagued me...

[society]

whether one receives organs or not they still have to die, why prolong going to heaven which is said to be a much better place? :-)

[Sqad]

soc....everyone theoretically can be kept alive....blood replaced, lungs ventilated, but it is the brain that is the leader of the orchestra. The brain can die, but medical science can keep the organs alive.........but for what purpose?.....the patient will never regain consciousness, never laugh smile eat, walk , work........what would be the point? BUT, the organs can be kept alive for "harvesting."

Would you object to a blood transfusion to save your life? That blood has been donated.

[jno]

not sure about going to heaven, Sqad: bodily resurrection's going to be a bit of a problem if my organs are all over town and some still in use. Funny typo alert: your suggestion to Society about 'resting in piece'... yes, that's what it would be.

[dizmouk2009]

"Yes, an "opt-out" system should be imposed." hmmm, I've got a medical card which reads:

""I REQUEST THAT AFTER MY DEATH (OR NO LONGER REQUIRE) ANY PART OF MY BODY BE USED FOR TREATMENT OF OTHERS, AFTER MY DEMISE I REQUEST THAT MY BoDY, AFTER TREATING OTHERS BE GIVEN TO MEDICAL SCIENCE."

[kevo2k7]

An opt out system is definately the way forward, seeing as most of us dont think we are gonna die just yet so wont bother our *** to opt out before its too late, which there will be then so many more lives saved!!

[joggerjayne]

Just a "point of order" ...

Legally, you do not own your own body as an asset.

That is why, in your Will, you can express a "wish" about burial, cremation or whatever, but you cannot give binding instructions.

Your mortal remains are not an asset over which you have any control.

Does that help the debate?

[jno]

if you've got your eyes on my cerebellum, JJ, forget it; I'm keeping it with me in the next life.

[LoftyLottie]

Nobody as far as I can see has answered my questions. What will happen to the organs of those who cannot make decisions for themselves, such as the mentally handicapped. What about children, who will make their decision for them? Will they be excused from opting out or what. I just don't think it has been thought through. A lot of people don't like to think about death and will avoid anything to do with it, including opting out.

If Sqad is still about the answer to his question is that if anyone in my family needed a transplant and it would improve the quality of their life (not just extend it) then, of course, I would like them to have one, but only from someone who has fully considered donating their organs and opted in.

[karenmac60]

Lofty, the same people who are responsible for opting in on behalf of children or people unable to make their own decisions would be the same people who would opt out on their behalf - IE parent/guardian/carer - whoever normally makes responsible decisions for them. People are acting as though if there were an opt out system then doctors would suddenly turn into ghouls, ripping the organs out of still living patients in spite of their wishes. All it means is that the people who are apathetic and are not that bothered one way or the other will donate by default because they have not deliberately chosen not to. As the wife of a donor recipient, I know first hand how much a transplant can change a life. The patient doesn't need to be dying for it to make a huge difference either. The gift of sight by donating your corneas can make a huge difference to someone's life. A kidney to a dialysis patient gives them the freedom of a normal life - they can work again, go on holiday, drink more than a litre of fluid a day, have a normal sex life, have children and so many other things. I don't think people actually realise how poor the quality of life can be for somone suffering from organ failure, and anything that can be done to improve this situation can only be for the better

[LoftyLottie]

Hi Karen, so if I had a child of, say, two I could fill in a donor card for him/her, or if I had a mentally handicapped adult son or daughter I could fill in one for them. I just don't think that is right. I am not one of those who thinks surgeons are going to rip out organs. I just can't accept the proposal of opt out is ethical. I do realise that transplants can transform lives though. I could be persuaded to carry a donor card.

Will people who opt out be on some sort of database that is checked. That alone makes me feel uneasy as to its accuracy.

[sara3]

if I lost a child, I think it would be of some comfort to think another child/person's life was improved/extended/saved by donating their organs.

[karenmac60]

Lofty, at the moment it doesn't really matter what a person chooses - any person, because the decision is not left to them. It doesn't matter if you have opted in, signed the register, carry a card and told all your family. The decision is still left to your next of kin. Also, if you have stated you don't want to be a donor it makes no difference either - your next of kin makes the final choice. Surely an opt out system gives you more of a right to have your say, since if you are against it you can opt out and that is final and binding. It also takes the onus off your family from having to make that choice during an highly emotional time.

[society]

Sqad, thanks for answering my questions.

"Would you object to a blood transfusion to save your life? That blood has been donated. "

To answer your question, I honestly don't know. I donate blood twice per year, I've been doing this for many years now; and I I've given blood to some family members who were ill with cancer. (which is correct - ill with cancer or ill from cancer?)

[LoftyLottie]

I see your point Karen. I'll have a think about it. :o)

Sarah, I know what you mean, but I really don't know if I could bear to think of my child being cut open, even if they are dead. I suppose noone really knows unless they are in that situation.

[~Wingnut~]

If it wasn't for someone agreeing for their organs to be donated after their death then my husband would not be here now and our girls would be without their father. Our youngest was only 2 months old when we got the call.

I am eternally greatful to the family who carried out their loved ones wishes and I hope they got great comfort knowing they were helping someone even tho they must have been going througfh hell. My husband was slowly dying in front of our eyes and only getting worse, more health problems on top of more health problems and there was nothing we could do. Dialysis as my husband puts it was just a slow death and not really a quailty of life just an existance.

To personally go through this and seeing a loved one so ill I can't understand why people wont go on the donor register. Your organs are of no use to you once your dead and as the saying goes "Heaven knows we need them here".

[karenmac60]

Wingnut, I couldn't agree with you more. My husband had to wait 10 years for his transplant and the difference it has made to his life is indescribable. It's the big things that really matter, but it was the little things I noticed at first - like the look on his face on a hot day when he could have a big drink of something cold, things we all take for granted.

[sara3]

Wingnut and Karen, I couldn't be more pleased for you. thank heaven's for some rational thinking people.

would I rather see my loved one cremated or buried with their organs, or see a life dramatically improved?

I would hope my kids would like the idea of my heart still ticking within another family after I'm gone.

[sara3]

and Lofty... it's Sara, not Sarah!