All Adults Will Be Presumed To Be Organ Donors …

[naomi24]

…..unless they explicitly opt out.

//An opt-out system for organ donation will soon become law after it passed its last hurdle in Parliament.

Campaigners hope the new system will encourage us to make our wishes known before we die, with an online register for those opting out.

Research has shown more than 80 per cent of adults in England would definitely donate their organs or would consider doing so. However, only 37 per cent of Britons have registered as donors on the NHS Organ Donor Register and received a donor card.

However, Professor Chris Rudge, a leading transplant surgeon, has said he would opt out on the grounds that the State should not presume to take a citizen’s organs. Last year he said: ‘Organ donation should be a present … I am so horribly opposed to a change in the law.’//

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6659669/All-adults-presumed-organ-donors-unless-explicitly-opt-new-law.html

Your thoughts?. For or against?

[THECORBYLOON]

If it were a legal duty, there would be no opt out, would there?

[andres]

This sounds like a great idea in theory but how will it be in practice. I thought that some organs such as the heart had to be transplanted as soon as possible not kept in storage. Also over the coming years wouldn't there be a danger of more organs being collected against the number of transplants needed. We would need many more hospitals with specialised units in order to store the surplus organs. Would the relatives still be able to object ?As some Abers have pointed out would you still be eligible for a transplant if you have opted-out? There are some people with serious medical conditions who wouldn't be able to donate and would have to opt out. Their organs would not be suitable.Life could get very complicated in the years to come for some people.

[NellieMay]

Agreed Andres. If legislation goes through, then there has to be a lot of thought of planning and many changes made. It's not something that should happen quickly. There are, as you point out, many complications.

[jno]

There are some people with serious medical conditions who wouldn't be able to donate and would have to opt out.

no need for them to opt out, I suppose, as their bodies will be rejected anyway.

[NellieMay]

They certainly won't want anything from me!

[Baldric]

Yes Choux, I did notice that but too late to change it, but if it makes you feel good, enjoy.

[andres]

jno---If you had a heart , liver,kidney or any one of a number of other medical conditions then you probably wouldn't be considered but would you automatically be opted-out and by being opted out would you still be eligible for a transplant if needed?That's the complicated part.

[Canary42]

I fail to understand those who object on the grounds of the "State owning their organs".

Surely it's the People's NHS who will take them.

The State only enables the empowering legislation.

[anneasquith]

It’s very simple...... opt out if you do not wish your organs to be made available after your death .

[woofgang]

Canary Can you honestly believe that the NHS belongs to The People? I have worked in it and I can tell you categorically that it is controlled and directed by the government....what do you think that the department of health is for?

[choux]

anneasquith - it is so simple, is it not? :)

[anneasquith]

It is C :’)

[NellieMay]

Being simple doesn't make it right.

[nailit]

After having read through this entire thread...
Just one question?
If someone is willing to donate their body to a medical teaching university after death, but not willing to donate organs (myself) Should I still be allowed an organ if I needed one but declined to donate one?
(where the F is a philosophy section?)

[Mamyalynne]

I am firmly against sanctions or conditions placed on anyone who opts out.

[Tilly2]

As a card carrying, registered donor, I have no qualms about being so. At least some one will confirm that I am actually dead, when I'm dead. I can understand that a lot of people would be against it and I don't think opting in or out should be a prerequisite to accepting an organ, if one is needed. An organ recipient may well have second thoughts, if push came to shove.

[spathiphyllum]

It'd be impossible to give a consequence.. cus of religion ennit

[woofgang]

I am not sure of the situation now Tilly but it always used to be that once you had received an organ, you could no longer be a donor because of the anti rejection regime....I think there might also be an issue with having been a transfusion recipient as well.

[nailit]

//At least some one will confirm that I am actually dead, when I'm dead.//
It was pointed out earlier in this thread that, that may not be so Tills. There have been reports of some 'waking' up on mortuary slabs.
Science has not really decided on what constitutes 'death'.
(look up Dr Sam Parnia).