I carry an organ donor card, and have given blood, but I don’t 
want it to be legislated on a presumed consent basis, it should be a personal choice. This is a very emotive topic and is a decision an individual can make before his death so the next of kin does not have to make an agonising decision.
I agree it’s tragic that there is a critical shortage of organ donors, and that lives are being lost because of it. But it’s surely up to government and the NHS to build people’s confidence on this very sensitive subject. This is something it has failed to do. Where are the campaigns and awareness raising to persuade and coerce, rather than alienate and enforce?
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley reminds us that only four years ago, Gordon Brown and Alan Johnson voted against assumed consent in organ donations on the basis that there was no public support, and parliament concluded it was wrong. So what has changed since?
It will be interesting to know whether this story has helped increase numbers of organ donations for transplants. Maybe some good will come out of this ridiculous idea after all.
I think it would be good for it to be legislated on a presumed consent basis,as i wonder how many people would actually be happy to donate their organs but just never get round to having a organ donor card.
“it should be a personal choice. This is a very emotive topic and is a decision an individual can make before his death so the next of kin does not have to make an agonising decision.”
It will be opt-out-able, so the above statement works both ways.
What can one do with their organs once your body has finished with them, anyway?
I think it’s OK to go with presumed consent. There will be enough safeguards to ensure that people who feel strongly that they don’t want to donate their organs.
In the US blood donors receive free blood if they need it; non-donors have to pay.
When people register that they don’t want to donate their organs they should waive the right to receive organs at a later date.
People should think about the issue from both sides and that would ensure they did.
This is a very dangerous area. I don’t want to think that doctor’s have the right to take me apart if it were against my wishes. Surely that is the ultimate Human Right.
Jean-Luc, (what an insult to the genius himself!) there’s me thinking the right to life was the Ultimate Human Right.
Well, Jean-Luc doesn’t like the idea of taking organs from a DEAD person, it’s a bit icky, you see. Oh what horrible thought! All blood and stuff like that.
Oh well. Poor kid will have to die now. Jean-Luc could have supplied the organ. But it was just too an icky thought. Bye bye forever little kid needing an organ.
Jean-Luc, what other rights would you like to enjoy when you’re dead? The right to privacy? The right to peaceful protest?
Do you really think there won’t be some opt-out?
I don’t want to think that doctor’s have the right to take me apart if it were against my wishes
You’re not going to know, are you?
What to do with the offal?…
I don’t see what the problem is with ‘presumed consent’ for organ donation.
After all, when you’re dead, you’re dead. Right?…
Hey now…
Why am I the last to find out what you’re doing here?
I just want to hope that my bits may help others, but forget the liver; I’m using it to the best of it’s ability!
You may like to use the heart though; I’m all for that with friends and others.
In principle, yes. But I haven’t got a card, I should get one.
Incidentally, I was able to visit Welney with a friend just before I left for Italy – as you said, a terrific place!
Maalie, glad you enjoyed Welney, I want to return soon with my new camera lens.I hope you are enjoying Italy.
These days you don’t need to carry a donor card you just register your details on the NHS organ donor registar at http://www.uktransplant.org.uk
This is indeed a very dangerous area to get into for the government. Would this implied consent also apply to foreign visitors who may not even know such legislation exists, assuming it ever does?
I’m all for organ donation but by choice not by legislation.
jmb:
It wouldn’t apply to forign visitors, as they wouldn’t have a chance of opting out.
I presume.
In the event of sudden death our bodies are hacked about anyway. Embalming is a pretty brutal procedure too. I don’t see any point in being squeamish about donation because the bits end up in a bin liner anyway. I wouldn’t like my body to be used for training or scientific purposes. Whilst searching for my miniscule brain some med student could trip over my gonads and hurt themselves.
I think legislation is a dangerpus way to go on this.
I think I have a much more sensible and ethical suggestion for dealing with the issue.
See my blog at:
http://racheljoyce.blogspot.com/2008/01/organ-transplantation-more-ethical.html