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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think that organ donation should be opt in not opt out

217 replies

SodaStreamy · 12/07/2013 16:41

Wales is introducing an 'opt out' for organ donation.Scotland is watching to see if it's worth doing

Personally I don't think this is right

It's taking bits of a humans body without consent

The reasons I am not an organ donor are thus,

there are far too many people who have a dontated organs and change there behaviour and start displaying charactistics of the organ donars personality

I do not want anyone ever to think it's ok to take a bit of my body and put it in someone else and if it wanted it too happen I would tell yes , i'm an organ donor .

But if I don't want it to happen I do not think I hould have to sign a form saying my organs are not harvestable

OP posts:
CleverlyConcealed · 12/07/2013 18:36

It was once thought that my dd would need a transplant as a toddler. Thankfully she didn't but she may still require one as an adult.

All this means is that folk will choose not to give that gift rather than the other way around.

My only hope is that people who do opt out do so for the right reasons and consider how they might feel if they were on the other side of the fence.

Mia4 · 12/07/2013 18:36

YABU, many people don't think of donating their organs until it's too late too. If they're informed upfront they can easily say no, from what i know when encouraging some people to put the formalities in place all of them wanted too but all lived by 'it would never happen to me' so they didn't bother to put in place-it could have been too late for them to but i encouraged them to actually formalise and let their loved ones know rather then think that it's something they could get around to later. You never know when later runs out.

YABVI to think it's without consent, if you opt out then you've said you don't consent if you don't then you've consented. All this aside the love ones of a deceasant or soon to be deceased currently can overrule a donors choice and opt them in or out and consent for them where they can't.

Personally i think this should be done on passports and licences and it should be a simple 'donate yes/no box'

CloudsAndTrees · 12/07/2013 18:39

If you live in under an opt out system, it should have been made very clear to you, through government provided information, how you should opt out.

If we have to have an opt out system, it should only be after a massive campaign to increase public awareness and the numbers of people that actively choose to opt in. If after that, there is still a strong case for moving to an opt out system and it happens, then there needs to be a massive public campaign that makes it easy for people to opt out.

FannyFifer · 12/07/2013 18:41

Of course you can opt out in Scotland, you just don't opt in, it isn't mandatory.

LustyBusty · 12/07/2013 18:42

One if the problems with the opt in system is that by discussing your preferences with your family makes you think about your impending death. We don't like to do that. Statistically, the best candidates for donorship are motorcyclists. These also typically tend to be young men, who have over estimated their abilities. Because they are young men, they think they are invincible, therefore don't think about donating their organs (cos it'll never happen to them) so they never opt in. If it was opt out... It'd be different. (And I know, a number of sweeping gerealisations in there, but I don't know the actual stats I'm afraid)

nobutts · 12/07/2013 18:50

This thread is ridiculous, Op Yabu and misinformed and illogical and narrow minded. myname, I'm so sorry for your loss, you and your DC did a brilliant thing and one that demonstrates the real compassion of the human race with or without a god. Its why I have just received my baby's donor card through the post which we ensured we applied for at her birth.

BackforGood · 12/07/2013 18:54

YABU, and, quite frankly, your first "reason" is so ridiculous, it's difficult to know where to start.

I applaud Wales for doing this, and really wished the whole of the UK would catch up. When this has been debated before, I've seen links to surveys saying that the majority of the population agree that the 'default' position should be that you are a potential donor, with the absolute option of people being able to register to opt out of that 'default' line if they are as ridiculous and selfish as you wish.

ThreeMusketeers · 12/07/2013 18:55

OP, this:

"....there are far too many people who have a dontated organs and change there behaviour and start displaying charactistics of the organ donars personality..."

... is absolute nonsense and woodoo weaving.
Medically impossible.

MrsMelons · 12/07/2013 18:56

YABU - my friends 20 YO daughter died this week waiting for a lung transplant after a life long battle with illness, who knows if only more people donated organs!

Original poster
SodaStreamy · 12/07/2013 18:56

soupdragon to answer your question ..transplants and I refused a blood tranfusion (although was due to hiv scares at the time)

Portoino no I'm not after a bunfight

ladyBeagleseyes if you read back you will see that I said I would not take a donated organ

And yes, I should have waited and formed a more coherent debate...however I didn't.

And it is perfectly ok that no one argees with , that is ok

But I am quite decided that an opt out policy is incorrect.

My opinion is that opt in is the way forward , not opt out

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 12/07/2013 19:00

How about antibiotics?

MrsMelons · 12/07/2013 19:02

nobutts - how do you opt in children officially?

clucky80 · 12/07/2013 19:03

OP I find your views quite astounding. 'Modern medicine is trying to play god' - are you for real?? You clearly must be a very healthy individual indeed to have never needed antibiotics, painkillers etc. I hope it remains that way for you.
And MNiscold 'barbaric', words really do fail me.
FWIW I am a recipient of a double organ transplant. I was 26 when I had my transplant and I strongly believe I would be dead now if I hadn't had it. Instead I am able to live a normal healthy life, have married my amazing husband and have had a miracle DS and am currently pregnant with my second child.
mynameis, I am so sorry for your loss and I think it was an amazing and brave decision you made to donate your DC's organs. My donor was a teenage boy and his mum also made the decision to donate her son's organs. Not a day goes by when I don't think of my amazing donor and his mum and brothers. His mum and I are in regular contact, she has told me all about her DS and I have also seen pictures of him. She was so overjoyed when I told her that I had had my DS and she said that when she made the decision to donate her sons' organs, she had never imagined that one day new life would be created thanks to the wonderful gift of her DS's organs. My DS's middle name is that of my donors. When my DS is older I will be so proud to tell him about the wonderful boy who saved his mummy's life. I feel truly blessed and like the luckiest person in the world to have benefited from such a wonderful gift at a time of such sorrow for one mother and I am also so grateful that we live in an age when transplants are available and save the lives of so many.

wongadotmom · 12/07/2013 19:04

I agree with the opt in system as it is. I am an organ donor. I would like to give the gift of life after my death.

BUT if the opt out system comes in I will be opting out.

The idea of giving my organs does appeal to me but the idea of them being taken with 'presumed consent' frankly gives me the creeps.

Burmobasher · 12/07/2013 19:07

OP, have you been watching too many hammer horror films?
Yabu, well done Wales, lets hope the rest of the UK has the balls to follow suit

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 12/07/2013 19:09

The trouble is, the opt in system doesn't work well enough.

Family are able to over-ride the donor's wishes, even if they have a donor card/are registered.

That upsets me a lot. I can understand family distress, but surely you should wish to honour your loved one's wishes?

If someone has gone to the effort of opting it, that should take precedence.

If you care enough NOT to want to be a donor, get up off your arse and opt out.

Original poster
SodaStreamy · 12/07/2013 19:09

My childminders daughter's life was ended too soon and she gave consent for donation , then was really upset to find out the had to take it out her (kidney) while she was still alive.

She was there at the end and and the monitor kept peaking when the doctors were poking about in her body. She is convinced that pain was felt and I have no reason not to believe her.

This is also why I don't want to donate my organs.

Not because I don't want someone else to live , but because I'm not convinced it does not involve pain .

Anyone who consents though, that is wonderful and great but don't stomp all over people who chose not to donate

OP posts:
Original poster
SodaStreamy · 12/07/2013 19:12

Ys I will tak antibotics and painkillers , that is not putting a piece of another persons body into your own

OP posts:
mynameisslimshady · 12/07/2013 19:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 12/07/2013 19:13

"I don't want bits of me being taken out and put in someone else. That is my choice and if your all saying I'm wrong with that thought well that's up to you"

So OPT OUT (obviously)

Tiredemma · 12/07/2013 19:14

The passing gift of LIFE.

Quite how anyone could have an issue with that is beyond me.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 12/07/2013 19:15

Me too Tiredemma

It seems to based on ignorance and superstition.

But if you disagree OP, OPT OUT.

mynameisslimshady · 12/07/2013 19:16

Thank you for your good thoughts and wishes, I'm hiding the thread now, I can't argue with such stupidity and thoughtlessness. Thank goodness op seems to be in the minority.

SauvignonBlanche · 12/07/2013 19:18

Sodasteam'your crass ignorance is just annoying me, but must be really upsetting brave people such as mynameisslimshady
For the lie of God could you please shut the fuck up?

Tiredemma · 12/07/2013 19:18

well I got as far as the bit about displaying parts of the donors personality and had to check my calendar that it wasn't April 1st.

Crock of shit.

Ignorant and quite frankly quite offensive.