Shortage of Donors

[flip_flop]

As we have a huge shortage of donors in this country, should we have an opt-out system?

This strikes me as a quick and easy fix.

Alternatively, for adults, how about adopting a system whereby if you aren't a registered donor you forfeit the right to be a recipient?

[suzie1]

i dont know, i just assumed they wont, sqad where are you, will they or wont they,

hey karen, how are you, im much better now, i sorted things out

[S_C]

currently there are many ways to opt in to become an organ donor . carrying the card , by phone , via internet.
however they all relly on the immediate family agreeing to your choice at the time.
no matter your wishes to donate this can still be overturned at that time.
i have no idea of the % who agreed / disagree , but i am sure some will.
The idea of the opt out scheme has been around for a long time , however for what ever reason it has " as far as i know " never been followed up.

it would make organ donation a much easier process and make it much easier for the relatives left behind " no awkward questions " .
but for some reason there does seem to be a reluctance to even actualy check public opnion regarding thsi subject.

the idea of medic's making life and death choices in the ambulance or even in the hospitals due to waiting lists , honestly i do not believe there has actualy been any evidance of this and it would be highly unlikely even more so as with this idea supplies would be in greater number therefore the need would be lower so that alone reduces even the idea of any foul play.

the only issue i could imagine is the idea of foreign people coming into the country to make use of such a scheme. that could if the numbers were high enough cause issue's with supplies but as there is a list of sorts that would be a bit far fetched " not impossible " but again highly unlikely.

if the option was put out i am quietly confident that it would be passed by public opnion.

[karenmac60]

Hi Suzie, I'm fine, glad to hear you've sorted things out - I was worried about you. I had been looking out for you to check you were ok, but I never caught up with you. Feel free to gimme a shout if you ever want to talk. I don't know if they would take your blood or not - I know they check what medications you are on and sometimes refuse you on those grounds.
As far as saying medics would make decisions based on organ needs, this is complete rubbish (not you Suzie, it was mentioned by R1 Geezer). Having gone through the proccess involved to be a live donor I know how strict the ethics involved are. I had the tests spread out over a year to give me the option of backing out. I had a lengthy interview with a psychiatrist to make sure I was aware of what I was getting into as well as a barage of medical tests to make sure I was physically fit and healthy enough to donate and if things had continued I was to go before an ethics committee with sworn statements from family and friends and evidence to prove I had an ongoing relationship with the potential recipient and that I was not being coerced or rewarded in any way. If they were that desperate and underhanded that they would let people die in ambulances just for spare parts, then I doubt they would have bothered going through all of that with me - it would've been one less person on the waiting list so they'd just have gone ahead.