Organ donation-Presumed consent debate.....

[1066familyman]

.....again.

Latest Govt. advisory committee has advised against changing the law to presumed consent for organ donation.

Gordon Brown says he's in favour of presumed consent but will heed the latest advice and first seek to increase the number of people currently on the consent list before making any attempts to change the law.

Here's a quick BBC link to the For & Against debate: BBC NEWS | Health | The debate over presumed consent

What say you ?

 

[¡Cereal Killer!]

My mum signed me up for an organ donors card and I didn't even want to sign up

 

[captainmorganrum]

Should be opt out in my opinion

 

[1066familyman]

Should be opt out in my opinion

Why ?

 

[captainmorganrum]

There currently aren't enough donor organs to go around, an opt out register would save thousands of lives.
It saves all the upset of asking the family after the death when its the last thing they need to be thinking about.

I donate blood and am on the bone marrow list as well as carrying a donor card. When I am gone, I am gone and medical science is free to strip me like an old car for parts and then I hope to be cremated.

How about this for controversy - what about it working both ways. If you opt out of having your organs donated when you die, if you need a transplant whilst still alive then tough luck.

Having said all the above, although I've ticked that they can take my liver, I'm not sure it would pass EU regs for dog food at the moment let alone be usable for transplant.

 

[Frutos]

They can take what they want of mine when I'm dead, not like I'll have a use for any of it.

 

[1066familyman]

If it's true that 90% of people asked wish to donate but less than 20% of the population are on the donation register, then surely those in favour should get off of their arses and sign up instead of seeking presumed consent ?

 

[steward 433]

They can take what they want of mine when I'm dead, not like I'll have a use for any of it.

Spot on. If i can be of use to improve someones life when i have gone then good.

And should be opt out!!

 

[coventrygull]

I think it should be opt in. Don't want the government having rights over my body.

Oh and my first wife died at Harefield hospital awaiting a transplant

 

[Starry]

My little girl died because she did not get the liver transplant she so desperately needed.

I think it should remain opt in, but with far greater education about donor registration from everything blood, marrow through to organs after death. I have worked hard in our local area to get more people to sign up. It disgusts me that there are so many people out there (those outside of health/religious etc reasons) who do not donate/won't donate.

Do it. From blood, to marrow, to being on the list for donation after death if you have no health, religious etc. reason not to donate go here and then go here and register.

One day it might be your daughter or son, wife or husband who needs a transplant.

 

[king Wombat]

I think it should be opt in. Don't want the government having rights over my body.

Oh and my first wife died at Harefield hospital awaiting a transplant

abit astonished by that to be honest? why don't you want the NHS to have the chance to save lives?

 

[desprateseagull]

I think it should be opt in. Don't want the government having rights over my body.

Oh and my first wife died at Harefield hospital awaiting a transplant

like he said.

could also be scenario's where people are left to die, for their organs to go to a more 'media friendly' (or rich) receipient?

and what if there were religious, health, moral, or individual legal grounds, for not taking organs from someone, who wasnt on or aware of the opt out- foreign visitors, etc.


even though i would be dead, the thought of someone plucking my eyes out just makes me squirm.. not that they would be any good!

 

[coventrygull]

abit astonished by that to be honest? why don't you want the NHS to have the chance to save lives?

Of course I want the NHS to save lives. I work for them. I also believe that an individual has the right over there own bodies. I agree with starrys comments.

 

[1066familyman]

My little girl died because she did not get the liver transplant she so desperately needed.

I think it should remain opt in, but with far greater education about donor registration from everything blood, marrow through to organs after death. I have worked hard in our local area to get more people to sign up. It disgusts me that there are so many people out there (those outside of health/religious etc reasons) who do not donate/won't donate.

Do it. From blood, to marrow, to being on the list for donation after death if you have no health, religious etc. reason not to donate go here and then go here and register.

One day it might be your daughter or son, wife or husband who needs a transplant.

Very sorry to hear about your daughter.

I take my hat off to you for not letting emotion cloud your opinion on this issue as your post clearly shows respect for those who object to organ transplants. I believe your campaign to sign as many people up as possible is honourable and exactly the right way to go. I wish you every success. I agree with you that it should remain opt in. I personally will not sign up for 'religious' reasons.

 

[1066familyman]

.........I also believe that an individual has the right over there own bodies. I agree with starrys comments.

I agree.

What also worries me also is what happens to people unable to make an informed decision to 'opt out'.

 

[coventrygull]

I think there is a minefield of ethical issues involving organ transplants. Take the issue of trading in organs for example.

 

[maffew]

Very sorry to hear about your daughter.

I take my hat off to you for not letting emotion cloud your opinion on this issue as your post clearly shows respect for those who object to organ transplants. I believe your campaign to sign as many people up as possible is honourable and exactly the right way to go. I wish you every success. I agree with you that it should remain opt in. I personally will not sign up for 'religious' reasons.

what he said fair play to you.

I believe in opt in totally. I have a donor card they can have any bits of me they want if they still work

 

[Starry]

I agree.

What also worries me also is what happens to people unable to make an informed decision to 'opt out'.

That is one of my many concerns about if we did change to an opt out system.
I wonder how much of Brown's opinion that we should be opt out is clouded by his son's illness. I hope none but I do wonder.

I think rather than arguing about should it be an opt in/out register all this energy spent (politically) could be better spent informing and educating people about the register, about the how/why/what and encouraging more people to sign up. The fact that only 26% of the population are on the register is disgusting. Of course, I exclude those like yourself 1066 who have valid reasons for not being on it, but having seen my daughter suffer I just cannot understand why people wouldn't donate. It is alien to me.

Cereal killer - I don't know how old you are now but if you are over 18 the marker against your name now will have them go to your nearest qualifying person to ask them about consent unless you have re-registered. You can remove your name from the register as well, do it in writing to NHS Organ Donor Register, UK Transplant, FREEPOST (SWB1474), Patchway, Bristol, BS34 8ZZ.

 

[maffew]

1066familyman and Starrys posts are both ace (IMO)

 

[Fungus]

I think there is a minefield of ethical issues involving organ transplants. Take the issue of trading in organs for example.

Surely the trade only exists because of the shortage of organs?