Organ donation - Opt-in or presumed consent which should it be?

Question

In the UK, there is a shortage of organs for transplantation, should the Govt be heavyhanded and go for 'presumed consent', or should we use persuasion to get more people to 'opt in' . After all, we are not forced to become blood donors.

Answer 1

Opt-in...if we accept that everyone wants to donate it becomes a system where the state owns our bodies...and our bodies are the one personal thing about us.

Answer 2

People should be fully informed about the pros and cons before giving consent. Consent should not be presumed. I fear that we may be only a short step from perhaps not having medical intervention when we are elderly and in a precarious state of health because our organs are considered so useful for someone else. Already, as I understand, there is no requirement to resuscitate people of over 60. Another thing which people don't realise is that the organs have to be remove while one is technically still alive. Is it too far fetched a possibility that one might revive to find that one's organs have been plundered?



There is, perhaps, more at stake here than one might realise.



Incidentally, the overwhelming majority of next of kin of people belonging to "ethnic minorities" apparently refuse consent at the moment. That is very much in keeping with the scene at any blood donation session, where they are conspicuous by their absence. Unpalatable, but true.

Answer 3

I think that everyone should be presumed as a donor and if they DONT want to donate then they have to opt out. For years people have tried to be persuaded into donation, but it obviously isnt working anymore. Opt in is the only way to increase the numbers of organ donation. The government arent being heavy handed they are just dealing with the shortage in a different manner. After all, some people mean to sign the form to consent to donation and mean to carry a donor card, but never seem to get round to actually doing it. The opt in way means that people are more likely to remember to opt out!

Answer 4

In response to the top answer- of course the government are proposing an opt out clause, that's the point!!



I think that the opt out scheme is a great idea, I really don't understand why people who don't want to donate are so bothered because you CAN opt out!! I do wonder though, if yourself or your mum, dad, sibling or child needed a new heart, would you accept other people's organs or agree to donate yourself if you died?

Answer 5

Definitely, opt in. It's the removal of the organs themselves that kills you. How many people realise this? Think of the possible ramifications of allowing the medical profession to regard the human body as a collection of spare parts. (including research)



If you let the State own your body, how long will it be before 'opt out' becomes 'no choice'? That's how Governments work. They are already trying to move it from 'opt in' to 'presumed consent'



The 'presumed consent' people haven't thought about it, or are ignorant of the facts.

Answer 6

Opt-out - but it has to be easy. one form at the doctor's, or similar.



However - as donor organs are not exactly a 'right', I'd say set it up so that you're either entirely in, or entirely out of the system.



IE; if you're not prepared to donate, you will never recieve a donor organ. We'll soon see how many people's objections to donating their own organs disappear when faced with the possibility of losing the option to receive one, if needed.



Wanting to take without giving is simply selfish.

Answer 7

total agree with the presume consent idea. A lot of people say, I would like to donate, but I don't have donor card. They say it maybe really easy, to opt out, ie done on the internet.

Answer 8

Presumed consent anytime.

One less thing (my organ donor consent card) to carry in my purse!

I wasn't forced to be a blood donor - but I was.

I would hate to be a ghostly figure standing at the bottom of a hospital bed watching someone's child or mother die because I'd decided to let, say, my kidneys rot in a box with me.

P.S. I like the cut of your jib Dave - have a thumbs up.

Answer 9

I could accept a presumed consent system but there has to be an 'opt out' clause. Then if people are to apathetic to opt out tough!

Answer 10

The government should not get involved with something like that. It is a matter of personal choice and should be left that way. Less than 10% of the population in the US are organ donors, its unfortunate but its still the patients right.

Answer 11

I totally disagree with presumed consent and I won't carry a donor card either. As soon as they find a donar card on you in A & E you are doomed, ask any Doctor and if they will tell you the truth they will admit to this. If you are seriously injured they won't fight for your life, so people who carry donor cards beware.

Answer 12

i think everyone should be liable to donate their organs when they die to help others as a matter of course - if one doesnt want to donate their organ they are at liberty to opt out - thats got to be the fairest way - it wont take away a person's right to choose because the opt out option will be in place but think of you needing a transplant and someone dies having forgotten to complete the form to donate that persons body will remain useless to others who will suffer - thats my opinion

Answer 13

Aaah! we are not forced to become blood donors............yet! be careful where you mention that, they probably just haven't consisered it..........yet! Got to be opt in, they may realise when more people opt out that those that want to donate already have donor cards!

Answer 14

No-one "presumes" what I do with my body or its bits! My body and its contents do not belong to the State. I do not trust this Government,or the EU Commision,(which is where this whole thing comes from) therefore I will "Opt-out"...

Answer 15

Governments already "presume" far too much... Why give them the right to take what they want AFTER death the way they do while we are alive???

Answer 16

i think that it should be presumed consent. why have a perfectly good transplant rot in the ground?

Answer 17

if you are dead your organs should be available without question