Organ donation...?

Question

As an organ donor I believe it is upto the individual to donate ... should the medical authorities be able to automatically have the right to use my "bits " whether I am a registered donor or not on my death?

Answer 1

No, I think organ donation should continue to be opt in as opposed to opt out.

Answer 2

I too am an organ donor and no the medical authorities cannot decide for you whether or not to use your organs. In the end it is really up to your family even if you are a donor. However, if you are a donor and haven't any family then they possibly can decide what to do, especially if you have it on your drivers license and are on the donor list. Hope this helps answer your question. If you are still in doubt, contact the donor registry and see if someone there can help. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm an organ donor too. Not sure if it's gonna do anyone any good though. I'm a smoker so lungs are out, I drink to so liver is iffy. Kidneys? Lets just say thanks to stupidity I am amazed they still work. Everything else should be good though.

As for your question. No. You should register yourself to donate. Certain religions would not allow a body to be messed with after death. Personally I am currently a "Seeker" (label given to me by the wonderful people of this forum) and have no religion yet. We should respect others and their choices on whether to donate or not.

Answer 4

for most people it's really difficult to contemplate their own mortality. i'm embarrassed to say i haven't registered yet (although i will change that tomorrow) but it's only because i am young and don't consider the fact that i could die tomorrow. i think many people are like this. which is frustrating for all the people in dire need of organ donations. if people object to having their organs donated on religious or other reasons they should have the right to have their choices respected. but i definitely believe it should be an opt out and not an opt in system. it's only fair.
and as far as someone suggesting that it becomes an ethical dilemma for the doctors, well thats ridiculous. that's saying that, so as not to have to make a difficult decision, we don't help anyone at all? would these people, if faced with the prospect of two people drowning, stand idly by so as to not give either preferencial treatment? so ridiculous.

Answer 5

I am a registered donor. Upon my death, I fully expect all usable organs will be harvested and doled out to the most needy individuals I'm a match for. There's no need for "permission" for my organs to be harvested/used because I've already given it by signing my donor card. When I am dead, I'll have no use for my organs. Why shouldn't someone else get them if they can use them?

Answer 6

This is totally up to the individual to give the authority to say what they want done. I know I have a donor card for all my organs to be taken at the time of my death.
When my Dad died, his organs were donated, it was his wish to help some one else if possible.
He lives on in some one else.
It is a great thing to do and to give some one else a chance of a better life.

Answer 7

There's such a shortage of organ donors, but if you asked most people on the street they would say they were ok about doing it. So i think that unless someone feels strongly enough about the issue to put in writing that they don't want to donate (maybe a card), one should presume that they are willing.

Answer 8

I believe they should yes.

Instead of opting-in to an organ donation register, it should be an opt-out system, so organis are donated unless otherwise stated by the individual.

This would go a very long way to reducing the chronic lack of organs available for donation.

(By the way, congratulations for putting yourself forward as an organ donor)!

Answer 9

No. Some religions object to it and some people fear that medical science will make decisions based on this. If a 70 year old woman could be saved but a 20 year old needs a liver, a doctor could let the older woman die thinking the younger woman is more deserving. It would open up a huge ethical and moral dilemma.

Answer 10

If they take 'bits' without the individual having registered as a donor it is highly unethical and against the law.

But then once I am dead can I protest when they remove my "Bits" ?

Answer 11

I registered months ago to be on the donor list.......still not heard anything as yet! So you never know, they might just presume they can take peoples "bits".