Brown: Organ donation a yes unless otherwise stated. (choice, America)

[Mike182]

Gordon Brown, our new PM, has made some rather interesting positions, one of which involves organ donation. Brown reckons that everyone should be assumed to consent to donating their organs when they die unless otherwise stated, due to the lack of organs currently donated. i agree with him. what do you think?

[jamaesi]

I do think this is a very good idea as long as that option to "opt-out" remains. I wish American politicians would bring up these issues instead of God and gays and abortion.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Khalila

I do think this is a very good idea as long as that option to "opt-out" remains. I wish American politicians would bring up these issues instead of God and gays and abortion.

the system at the moment is people sign up for a donor card, which is a card stating that the person consents to their organs being donated - then in the event that they die, the question goes to their next of kin who can veto or confirm that consent.

what Brown is arguing is that people's consent for donating their organs should be assumed unless they (or their parent/guardian if they are under 16) specifically sign up to say they do not consent. the option to withdraw consent would be freely available.

[jamaesi]

Originally Posted by Mike182

the system at the moment is people sign up for a donor card, which is a card stating that the person consents to their organs being donated - then in the event that they die, the question goes to their next of kin who can veto or confirm that consent.

what Brown is arguing is that people's consent for donating their organs should be assumed unless they (or their parent/guardian if they are under 16) specifically sign up to say they do not consent. the option to withdraw consent would be freely available.

That's sort of similar to here, when you get your driver's license you have the choice to be an organ donor.

But like I said before, as long as there is still a way to "opt-out" of this assumed consent I think it's a marvelous idea.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Seems a good plan to me.
I once questioned why the deceased relatives can over turn their wishes.
I was told it was because the deceased have no property rights in their own body, they pass to the relatives.

Seems odd when you can leave other "property" in a will and it has to be honoured.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Terrywoodenpic

Seems a good plan to me.
I once questioned why the deceased relatives can over turn their wishes.
I was told it was because the deceased have no property rights in their own body, they pass to the relatives.

Seems odd when you can leave other "property" in a will and it has to be honoured.

i never understood that either - i thought that because you signed a donor card, you are saying you consent, what right does someone else have to withdraw that consent after you die?

[Jaiket]

Originally Posted by Mike182

i agree with him. what do you think?

I also agree.

I think it has flattering and frustrating elements. I've been a member of a party that has advocated this policy for some time and has been ignored. Like other good ideas, the Labour, Lib Dem, Tory stranglehold doesn't seem to want to pass legislation without being able to take credit.

[Centi]

We use this system already in Sweden. Everyone agrees to donate his/hers organs to medical needs unless otherwise stated. I think its good.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Centi