h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

'Everyone should be seen as a potential organ donor on their death unless they expressly request not to be', England's chief medical officer says.

How do others feel about this?

There are cultural, spiritual, religious and ethical reasons for some people to not donate organs. I don't think it's valid to ride roughshod over all that, so prefer an opt in policy rather than an opt out one.

Kea's post reminded me that we had a big and interesting discussion about this.

I'm still perfectly happy with an opt-out system, putting the burden on those that feel strongly about it to carry a card indicating their wishes.

sprout

You wouldn't know where that thread is Sprout?

Hmm, I wonder just how that would work...


Would anyone who died in the UK be open season for having their organs removed _unless_ they were carrying a card with them when they died?

If that's the case I can see some ruddy enormous diplomatic incidents blowing up the first time a British hospital chops up some unsuspecting ex-foreign tourist for spares without their consent.

Although not 100% effective, I'm personally in favour of by-passing both opt-out and opt-in in favour of just asking everyone you can - possibly by putting it as a question on the next census or on the next visit to a medical establishment - and adding the information to medical records. Beyond that, assuming people not able to be reached in thos way have difficulty in providing information, assume an opt-in policy.

M

Opt-out policy is fine by me so long as its easy - eg fill in a form in your doctors surgery
Its my understanding that if the relatives said that the person would not be willing to have their organs donated that would be accepted

Thread was at least 12 months, if not a couple of years back.

We can't search conversations any more can we?

I can't even remember what the title was - maybe Kea has a better memory?

sprout

Ask coelacanth ... she can find just about anything!

F19585?thread=612457&latest=1


az

If you believe that people have the right to choose whether to donate organs or not, then an opt-out system is inherently unfair. Not everyone goes to the doctor, not everyone is that tied into the system that doctors can keep up with where they are. What about homeless people or as mentioned tourists or foreigners?

There are also language barriers for people who don't have English as a first language, in terms of educating populations about their right to opt out.

You can't use the census to gather personally identifying information.

Shouldn't organ donation be just that? Donated, not taken.

az, so can kea (coelacanth's apprentice). And on dial up, in 2 minutes

F135418?thread=2956139

Sir Liam Donaldson has just been on Radio 4 saying he envisages a general register of donors but relatives should have a veto.

Also, he is unhappy with bits of his annual report, I think where the current interest stems from, being used as future policy without a public debate. He sounded very grounded and sensible.

Much as the irrationality and sentimentality of not wanting others to use your organs after you're dead irritates me, I don't think an opt-out is really justifiable. Possibly a system whereby next of kin are asked unless you've registered one way or the other would work.

I see the master has taught you well, kea-san ...

Seen this?

Donor boom after TV kidney hoax
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6902296.stm

So maybe it's all about better awareness. I personally prefer the opt-out method, but I can see that it wouldn't work well for everybody.

az

Az, do you mean you prefer opt out for you? Or you want everyone to have to opt out?

I'd prefer opt out for myself, kea, (it's just easier) and I guess ideally I'd also like to have opt out for everyone, if only because I think the people who would not want to donate are the minority (nope, don't got no links for that - it's just a hunch).

Having said that, if a hoax tv programme can up donations significantly, then surely this means that people are not aware enough of the need. Also, it's gotta be dead easy for those who want to opt in. I mean, I used to have the donar thingy checked on my Canadian driving license, but I've never looked into how to 'opt in' here in Spain.

az

What irks me about this proposal is the presumption that on my death, my body suddenly become 'their' property, to do with as they wish.
It is not.

If I choose to donate parts, (and I don't), they are my gift to be given as 'I' see fit, not theirs to take.

As an individual I should not have to carry a card to prevent something that I do not wish to occur

DK.

Quite frankly, if there is anything left of me that can be useful to anyone else when I die, they will be welcome to take it. My body is but a vessel for my consciousness, nowt else.

"There are cultural, spiritual, religious and ethical reasons for some people to not donate organs."

Cultural, spiritual and religious objections can safely be dismissed as optional irrational superstition applicable only to the living. Your particular choice of fairies at the bottom of your garden shouldn't stand in the way of someone else's sight or life after your death, especially if in life you couldn't be bothered to opt out of the donation.

Are there really *ethical* reasons for wanting to NOT donate you're organs??? Such as?



"What irks me about this proposal is the presumption that on my death, my body suddenly become 'their' property, to do with as they wish.
It is not."

Whose property is it, then? It's not yours - you're dead. Does your body, do you think, legally belong to your next of kin? Could they SELL it if they wanted to? If not, in what sense do they own it?

"If I choose to donate parts, (and I don't), they are my gift to be given as 'I' see fit, not theirs to take."

No, they're not. "You" are, by definition, no longer in existence by the time this point comes. You could choose to donate a kidney now, or not. You could choose to donate blood now, or not. But after you're brain dead, all that is "you" is gone. At that point, there's a pile of useful biological bits lying there just waiting to save someone's sight or life. What possible RATIONAL objection can "you" - the you that exists now - have to those parts being used?

SoRB