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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
claudedebussy · 12/07/2013 20:52

yabvvvvvvvvvvvu

you can just opt out if you feel strongly.

your body is not a toy, it can allow others to LIVE. i don't know of any toy that does that.

i think it's wonderful to be able to save someone - modern medicine is amazing. if i died i'd love to know that part of me was living on in someone else, and i'd feel the same for my loved ones.

what a gift!

Owllady · 12/07/2013 21:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Owllady · 12/07/2013 21:10

this attitude of it's abnormal, etc and barbaric

diddl · 12/07/2013 21:13

"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."

That's quite interesting.

I wonder how many more donors they would get with an opt out system?

Maybe it depends on why people don't opt in?

If it's because they can't be bothered, would be interested to know how many of those would actively bother to opt out.

Perhaps presumed consent to such a thing is a step too far?

Owllady · 12/07/2013 21:14

I am going to ask for my last post to be deleted because you don't actually deserve an explanation

Kafri · 12/07/2013 21:16

Well, for all you that disagree with opt out - let's hope you never need a donor for anything yourselves or your family - won't be so quick to decline will you!!!

You're dead, they're no use to you so why not make someone else's life better. FGS

BiBiBroccoli · 12/07/2013 21:17

YABU.

I am glad they can't transplant brains yet. I would opt out of receiving yours.

Yonionekanobe · 12/07/2013 22:03

Myname gets deleted when the OP's odious twaddle remains?

macreturnofthe · 12/07/2013 22:04

although this has not been articulated in the best way by the Op, truthfully the change in the law in Wales makes no difference apart from allowing the apathetic or it won't happen to me people to op in by default. It should drive up donor numbers which is desperately needed.

If the law was changing to make it compulsory for everyone, I could see people may have an issue with it, changing it to opt in makes sense in my mind and still allows free choice.

This change is no different just requires you to make a bit of effort to opt out, just as everyone has to do to opt in at the moment.

macreturnofthe · 12/07/2013 22:06

ps.... for those of you that don't live in Wales get signed up today....if you want to!!

Oh and have a look at blood donation too....

MissBetseyTrotwood · 12/07/2013 22:49

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

Well, after I stopped PMSL at the ridiculousness of this pearl of wisdom I started to wonder if the planet the OP lives on doesn't count pragmatism, altruism and empathy as qualities we should all have? Did I miss something? Because I'm fairly sure that most people who are currently on the organ donor register must possess at least one of them. Perhaps sharing around some of those qualities mightn't go amiss?

Leeches and cupping all round then OP?

pigsinmud · 12/07/2013 23:14

I wouldn't go as far as to opt out, but I really don't like the idea. Dh & I are both donor card holders. We know each others wishes and so do our parents. We have discussed the issue with our two teenage children, but not with the younger ones.
However, I am really uncomfortable with opt out. It feels like big brother...body belonging to the state. Surely a massive campaign will have to be undertaken to explain the system to everyone, so they know their choices. If they can do it that way, why can't they do it the other way for an opt in system?
When I agreed with the op earlier, I hadn't read the post carefully enough. I missed the bit about the recipient acquiring characteristics of the donor...er...I don't agree with that bit at all.

thismousebites · 12/07/2013 23:35

I have no problem with the state taking bits of my body when I die, but, TBH, with drinking and smoking I'm not sure they would be much use anyway.
However, I don't feel comfortable with the idea of DCs being in the opt out system...... don't know why, just am.
I think most people don't opt in ATM because they don't want to face up to their own mortality.

MrsMelons · 12/07/2013 23:44

I find this whole thread very hard to read but I feel extremely relieved about how many people disagree with the op.

The thing is, I give blood etc but have never actually registered as a donor until this week when my friends daughter passed away whilst waiting for a donor. I have always wanted to be a donor but had just not got round to registering. An opt out scheme would mean that wouldn't happen and those who feel strongly against would surely opt out.

My friend received a kidney transplant, it was one of the most incredible days of my life, he would have died without it, the donor was a young man who had been killed in a car accident. Without these donors we would be losing so many more young people.

Whilst I think of it - please give blood if you can!!

applepieinthesky · 12/07/2013 23:53

This thread or rather the OP is vile.

My friend's fiancé is currently on the waiting list for a double lung transplant and could die any day if she doesn't get one. She is 22 years old and without it won't make Christmas or another birthday. She will never experience getting married, having children or so many other things you take for granted. Yet you are wittering on about it being barbaric, playing god etc. I hope you are never in a position where you or your loved ones need an organ.

WafflyVersatile · 13/07/2013 00:02

'if it's your time, it's your time'

Well if the doctors managed to save you with a transplant it obviously wasn't your time.

YABU.

Kafri · 13/07/2013 07:52

I can't believe how utterly mean some of you come across on here.

Here in the uk we're bloody lucky to have the nhs (even if its not perfect) and we're even luckier that lives can be saved.

Surely it makes sense that in 1 death, half a dozen lives can be saved and made much much better than 7 deaths cos no one gave a monkeys.

If you won't do something that benefits so many others when it makes absolutely no odds to you (given that you're dead) then is hate to ask a favour of any of you that meant you were putting yourself out for anyone!

As for a child, I have a 6m old who is,and will hopefully remain, fit and well. If the worst did happen I'd be devastated but I would certainly want to try to help other parents suffering the same.

why can't we have a system where you can only receive a donation of you're registered to make a donation - fair's fair

Turniptwirl · 13/07/2013 08:04

Yabu and odd

It should only be opt in if you also have to opt in to agree to receive organs should you need them (unless there is a medical reason for not donating)

Doctors will still consult with next of kin and if someone hasn't opted out but their family were adamant against it their organs won't be taken.

FacebookAnonymous · 13/07/2013 08:20

You do post sime absolute billocks OP. I hope to God that you never ever hear the words 'your child needs a transplant'

Educate yourself.

Whothefuckfarted · 13/07/2013 09:00

Opt out all the way!

sashh · 13/07/2013 10:04

Pulling part of of someone and keeping them on life support to 'harvest' their organs is all a bit to frankenstin

Well considering that doesn't happen, not in the UK anyway, you should really find out what organ donation involves.

And all this 'it's my body', well as soon as you are dead it isn't is it? You are not around, your relatives decide what to do with it.

If you are in a coma it is still your next of kin who decides whether you will become a donor.

So with the system as it is you actually have no control over what your family / NoK will do. With an opt out system you would be able to control that so YABVVVU and ignorant.

Jengnr · 13/07/2013 10:31

Consent is given by not opting out, you are very unreasonable.

And as for the personality thing, you are plainly ridiculous.

CleverlyConcealed · 13/07/2013 11:04

MNHQ - would it be possible to get someone on from NHS Blood and Transplant to come along to do a live chat? Specifically to talk to people like the OP who are badly misinformed about organ donation?

MNHQ
CatherineHMumsnet · 13/07/2013 11:08

Hi - we'll certainly pass this idea on to our webchat team to see what we can do.

PearlyWhites · 13/07/2013 11:12

Yabu if you don't want to help sign a life just take a few minutes of your life to opt out.