Organ Donation

[Ding-Dong]

Who believes we should have an 'opt-out' system?

[Oneeyedvic]

I do.

[Ding-Dong]

If there are any who don't - why?

[smudge]

I do too.

[Loosehead]

I don't because I do not trust them to wait until you are dead. They have to make the decision to remove organs very quickly so they can be used. 

[Miss Zippy]

I don't. I'm happy for my bits and pieces to be donated when I snuff it (and all my family know that) but it's a personal decision and not something anyone (or a deceased's family) should feel pressured into, whether by their peers, doctors or the state. 

[frizzytwig]

I don't think you should have an opt out system.  It will eventually be abused and some people can't make decisions by themselves or may change their mind later on, the present system would work quite well but not enough emphasis is put on the importance of organ donation,ie I don't recall seeing any adverts for it like Cancer Research or Dogs charities.  Although I would wonder to myself how much information and opportunity people would get to opt out.   Some people cannot bear the thought of their loved one having organs harvested whilst they are lying on a life support machine, and to take that right away from them would be obscene.

By the way my family know my wishes regarding organ donation and know they will carry them out if need be. 

[Chessman]

The opt out system is there, if you want to donate your organs or anything else, you put it in your will, or carry a donor card, if they take your organs without permission, its against the law, basically its stealing, and if proved, it would be up to your relatives as to what action, if any, to take.

[coggles]

Hello Ding-Dong.

In an ideal world, most definately, but it isn't an ideal world and unfortunately it could be mis-used in all sorts of ways.

Like others on here, I have told my husband and family that when I am gone, the hospital can use whatever bits of me they want to.

My husband said there were 2 or 3 bits he would like to keep for himself though!

Joking apart, my Mum was a bit upset when I said the hospital could use my eyes too, but as I explained, they have worked well for me so far (I am 40) so why shouldn't they help someone else see when I don't need them any more? 

[Eels]

Opt-out would be better.

How many people are there out there who, when asked, would say 'Yeah, go right ahead, use what you want!', but have never registered or bothered to carry a donor card.  More importantly, how many of those who wish to donate their organs haven't ever discussed this wish with their next-of-kin?

Also, an opt-out system would avoid the horrible situation currently where the family of the deceased have to be approached and asked for consent at a time of tremendous shock and grief.

You can take any bits of me you like - I just hope the new owners take better care of me than I do!

[Wispy68]

Absolutely.

[coggles]

Well said Eels.

I should have said that I carry an organ donor card too.

I used to give blood every 6 months until I became very anaemic while pregnant with my 2nd child nearly 3 years ago. Unfortunately, even after having had 14 iron transfusions and 1 blood transfusion, I am still not able to donate.

[Ouisch]

Not to frighten you, Loosehead, but often a person is still breathing (with the help of a respirator) when their organs are harvested. The neurologist(s), however, are required to make sure you are brain dead before anyone starts cutting, and they perform several tests to make certain that you are.  Besides a flat line EEG, they check for the "doll's eye reflex" - that is, eyes remain fixed straight ahead when the head is turned.  They also squirt cold water into the ear canal - if the brain stem is still functioning, the eyes will move towards the ear being squirted.  Lastly, they also test to see if your gag reflex is still working.

[coggles]

Ouisch, although that was something that worried me when I first considered donating my organs, I quickly came to the conclusion that if I had had all the tests and was proclaimed brain dead, then I wouldn't want to be kept alive anyway. Better still that someone have whatever bits of me that would give them a better quality of life. 

[lozzzz]

I do, too many people have too many misconceptions about organ donation,they dont whip your organs out while your still warm,I thought the whole thing was dealt with tactfully and professionally when my dad died,infact it was one of the first things we as a family bought up just after he died,before it was mentioned.

Funnily enough although my dad donated his organs my mum is adamant that she be left intact and wont even discuss it,which was a suprise to us,which is why you should always ask.