Is it time to opt out of apathy?

Question

England's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has called for a system that assumes everyone is a potential organ donor - unless they expressly request not to be.

Surveys have indicated that as many as 70% of people want their organs donated after death, but only 20% of the population are on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

So, is creating a system where you have to "opt out" of organ donation the best way to tackle the problem of donor shortage?

And is this kind of "soft paternalism" the best way to make an apathetic nation engage with the issues affecting our lives? What else might we be automatically enrolled into?

Answer 1

I think it's a brilliant idea. Think of how many lives could be saved, young people with whole lives in front of them, otherwise doomed to a slow certain early death. I agree with one of the answerers concerning post mortems, when I used to attend them, I was a police officer, the dissected organs where just thrown back in the belly cavity and sewn up. Many had died from head injuries, young fit people, whose organs would have been ideal to save or improve a life.I am a supporter of Donaldson's proposals

Answer 2

I'm not so sure that we are an apathetic nation more like being scared of the unknown, so perhaps the answer is a sustained national campaign explaining the importance of organ donation. And how the present shortage could or may effect our own life or of those whom we love
due to the shortage of organs.

As in death there still appears to be a veil of secrecy and fear surrounding the issue of becoming a donor and I think once people become better informed we will see more of us willing to donate our organs.

I'm not sure about the chief medical officers stance over this one (though it make sense) as I think it still ought to be voluntary. But then I might see it very differently had either myself or mine been affected by the lack of an organ.

Good question.... star from me


Are you full of apathy?

Answer 3

No soft paternalism is the not the best way forward. Sure 70% might say that they want to donate their organs but only 20% do, because they may just be telling the interviewer what they want to hear. Yeah might be hard to believe but how many MPs said they would pledge their votes to the two MPs standing against Gordon Brown, but mysteriously when the time came to do so, the numbers dwindled?

Sorry but if I really want to donate my organs I'll make sure I sign the card. What I will be doing however if this opt-out system is ever instigated is opting out of donating them.

Answer 4

I personally want the opportunity to say if my organs can or can't be used after my death. Once again though I feel that your rights are being taken away from you and If you opt of being an organ donor out how you would be treated by medical personal and if it would be placed in your medical files to your detriment Or if you had given permission I fear that would they let you die if they thought that your treatment would cost more to keep you alive than harvesting your organs for transplant in favour of the cheaper alternative.

Answer 5

Yes Sir Liam Donaldson's proposal is right. Why the hell should the relatives of a deceased person have any right to deprive somebody else of the chance of living by denying them the organs which can save their life? Yes we should all volunteer to be organ donors but we are just too damned idle to bother to fill out the form (me too), and why should I have to fill out a form anyway? As far as I am concerned once my spirit has left my body, that body is no longer mine nor my family's nor is it any of my business what happens to any bits of the ex me.

Answer 6

I think that it is a good idea. At the end of the day, it's not like everyone is going to have organs taken, as there arn't THAT many people on the list. And if more people get to live because of this scheme, then it's got to be good.

I think people are more likely to be bothered to opt out because they don't want it, than opt in because they do. It means that we'll have 30% opting out, rather than only 20% opting in.

At the end of the day, if I knew that giving someone one of my organs would save their life, i'd do it. (as long as it isn't given to like an alcoholic or smoker who then goes on to abuse it even after the transplant), and I would want there to be someone to give me their organs, If i ever needed one.

I hope they bring it in soon.

Answer 7

So this Sir Liam Donaldson is telling me what I should do with MY body? Is this not a trifle arrogant? or patronising or
even Nazi?

Never mind the fact that one can opt out of the de facto assumption that they OWN you when you die. this will create fear in those who are dying being allowed to die in order to provide body parts.

Sir Liam Donaldson is a patronising elitist as his opinion shows.

Answer 8

This proposed policy suggests that you don't own your own ograns unless you claim them. That is as absurd as the US Congress getting an automatic increase in pay unless they make the effort to vote no.

What next? Government officials automatically elected unless you go to the polls and cast a vote for a canidate that has a majority vote of 50.1%

The idea is crazy.

Answer 9

Organ donation is a very good ideas! I'm set up to be a full body donor! They can take and use whatever they need! and I'm glad I can do it!
It's the ones who don't care that cost lives!

Answer 10

It is a good suggestion to be taken seriously. Once the suggestion is put into practice peoples concern will grow and bad practice like organ trade will stop. Let one country take the lead be it UK.