Organ Donation, what do you think of the new rules?

Question

From tomorrow, relatives will no longer have the automatic power to stop organs being taken from a person who has died if that person is on the donor register.
Good idea or not?

Answer 1

I don't think it is, a Donor card expresses the wishes of the deceased but it is the living that have to go on living and if they really want to go against the deceased wishes than they should be allowed to do so....... It should be down to people to explain their wishes and ensure that their family is happy with it, not a thing that the family learns about after the event and then has to make a painful decision.....

Answer 2

The procedure for removing organs is very strict and checked by a team of specialist. There is no way a donor with hopes to get recovered will be rushed to be ripped out his organs.
It is so strict that even when the regular doctors keep on thinking a person is already dead, they will check up brain function and other signs till the criteria are absolutely fulfilled.
The list of people hoping to receive an organ is certainly getting every day longer, but that is not a simple way since compatibility must be done and checked, plus other tests.
Some people simply can not give organs; they do not fulfill the criteria for a donor.
As somebody said, once somebody is (very) dead, the organs are no longer needed, but they can give life to another person who needs just one organ to carry on a normal life.
I think that once you have chosen to be a donor, if you have done nothing to show you changed your mind while being in conditions to do it, it clearly means the expression of your wishes. Why would the family need to give an opinion on the subject?
Sure, that was probably made to be sure that the family will not prosecute the physicians involved in the transplant procedure, but in many cases, family denies the right that their living relative had to choose how to dispose of his/her body.
Now day’s people hardly would refuse the wish of going for a cremation and spreading the ashes in one special place. Nevertheless, they might refuse what to do with the same body while the meaning of becoming a donor could be to help other people beyond death.
It is absolutely necessary to respect the wish from a person register in the donor's list. The family has no right to interfere with the donation unless they truly consider that an irregularity happened, and then they have to probe it.

Answer 3

As long as the person who has died agreed to have their organs used, and has signed the documents to be included on the organ donor list, why should anyone stop them? Obviously the dearly departed will have no use for those organs, and what good will it do the relatives if dead Uncle Dan keeps his diaphragm or not? Clearly the deceased person's wish was that their organs be used for the benefit of others rather than go to waste rotting in a grave or being cremated.

Answer 4

I think i am still on a organ register all my family know and i think all donors should tell their families, incase this same thing happens to them. More people should go on donor list it will save a lot more lives. Besides you don't need your body when your dead do you? I think the organ donation society needs to ask regulary if donors still want to be on a register though. More paper work yes but it would save more lives and heartache in the long run well that's what i think. LIFES sorry not LIVES

Answer 5

I agree with a previous writer - it's a long overdue policy change.

If the donor, an adult of sound mind, made their wishes known in advance in writing, then I cannot understand why any relative would have a veto to change the deceased's advance decision.

It is not their body, so why should they have a say? There cannot be any rational reason to oppose the decision. The generosity of the donor speaks volumes more than any emotional 'argument' to the contrary.

Answer 6

On balance, it seems like a good idea. The upset caused to the relatives of donors is nothing compared with the upset when someone dies needing an organ transplant.

Answer 7

I dont see any strong reason why the family should stop an organ being taken from somebody if they have already agreed. so good rules. the donor should certainly have the say over keeping their organs or not. I would be really annoyed if my family stopped my organs being used to save lives against my will.

Answer 8

I think at the time of death, people are understandably deeply emotional and the thought of their loved one's body being violated is deeply distressing. If the organs could be retrieved without having to ask permission, that might ease the situation, especially if the deceased wanted it done and had made arrangements.
My concern though, is how ethical is it? What guarantee have we that the person dying is actually dead before they start cutting? Will death be hurried because someone needs a heart in a hurry?

Answer 9

good idea, ive been an organ donor since I was 18 and my mum disagrees with me doing it. She doesnt like the thought of it. At least now I know that if something happens to me my wishes will be granted not hers.

Answer 10

if that person was of sound mind when he signed up to be a donor then they have the right to take what they want to use. hell your dead you won't miss it. but some one else might just get a new life from your parts yes i'm ok with it or don't be a donor. ask your family what they want