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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To opt-out of organ donation

407 replies

Jamiek80 · 12/12/2017 21:13

I am currently on the organ donor list however if the government make it opt out instead of opt in I will choose to opt out. I have a few reasons firstly though I’m on the register I actually have no clue what is involved, What can be taken, how much is taken, what happens to my body and a whole load more questions. Secondly if opt out what will happen can they just take everything I mean it’s possible to transplant a head these days so why not just store whole bodies just in case? Thirdly would the government make it simple to opt-out? Finally if you start opt out technically the government owns your body post death at what point do they decide they can take your organs while you’re still alive? I’m not against organ donation as I said I’m on the register but perhaps a better approach would be more available information, I wouldn’t even know how to re-register these days!

OP posts:
frogsoup · 12/12/2017 22:01

"I’ve looked at quite a bit of information yet would say in many areas I’m confused"

You don't say. Which information did you read telling you about non-existent head transplants, taking your face (when the opt-in list very clearly tells you you can choose what is and isn't included), and harvesting your kidneys while still alive? Honestly, when you read the very clear official information out there, how about trying to actually take it in, rather than take important decisions based purely on a very over-active imagination?!

slashlover · 12/12/2017 22:02

for instance the NHS website says that organ donation will not disfigure or prevent an open casket funeral yet also says that hands and face can be taken.

I can't see anywhere where is says hands or face?

When you register, you can choose to donate all or some of your organs. The only ones listed on the site are -

Kidney donation
Heart donation
Liver donation
Lung donation
Pancreas donation
Small bowel donation
Cornea donation
Tissue and bone donation

LurkingHusband · 12/12/2017 22:02

Every time this subject comes up, I can never quite understand why peoples wishes - as recorded by carrying an organ donor card, registering with a central agency - aren't respected as a matter of course ?

Original poster
Jamiek80 · 12/12/2017 22:02

I got that the face is taken from the NHS website. Glad to see that barely a single poster even pays attention to my concerns instead of abusing me for having doubts and questions. Also instead of telling me to go and do some research why would it be so bad if I didn’t need to and I was able to be reliably informed without having to search through google which we all know isn’t the most consistent.

OP posts:
oliveinacampervan · 12/12/2017 22:04

Doesn't bother me if someone wants to take bits of me, but I know a few people who have no intention of being a donor, and that is their right.

Saying they don't deserve to have anything (if they need it,) is bollocks. I trust every single person saying this has donated blood, bone marrow, eggs, blood platelets, a kidney, part of your liver, part of your lung, part of your pancreas, some of your hair, and also shit loads of stuff to food banks and charity shops and charities, and lots of time to volunteering too. If you haven't, I hope you never expect fuck-all for free! Hmm

Daft.

Some people have very personal and private reasons for not wanting to be an organ donor, and religious reasons too, and they don't deserve to be berated for it. So what if they want or need something some time? Plenty of people give more than they take in life, or take things that they don't give to. Including the pearl clutchers on this thread.

And saying 'I bet you would want your CHILDREN to have 'donated organs' if they needed them!' is a nasty thing to say, and a low blow.

oliveinacampervan · 12/12/2017 22:04

Oh and YANBU OP!

PurpleDaisies · 12/12/2017 22:05

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-41199918

Interestingly opt out organ donation doesn’t always lead to more transplants.

I am hugely in favour of people donating organs but I’m uncomfortable with the vilification of those who choose to opt out. It’s a personal choice that I wouldn’t make, but it should be a choice.

southboundagain · 12/12/2017 22:06

I donated my husband's eyes seven years ago, and I assure you that the team acted with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism. At least two young men can see more clearly and several other people will have benefited with tissue taken and banked.

One of the patients I met had received corneal transplants, and that had completely changed her life. They were absolutely precious to her.

multivac · 12/12/2017 22:06

But SilverySurfer - the fact that you have stated this ultimatum, means that now, you are only currently holding a donor card because the government hasn't introduced an opt out system. So, erm, you lose, sorry.

But at least in this situation, someone else might win, too.

StefMay · 12/12/2017 22:07

OP - someone did suggest you do some research but you came back with bizarre suggestions/thoughts not anywhere on NHS.

It is your responsibility to read up on the subject and not be spoon fed.

The truth is out there....

Anasnake · 12/12/2017 22:07

There have only been 37 partial or full face transplants in the entire world since 2005. They are not taken nor done as routine.

GlitteryStag · 12/12/2017 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

loubey68 · 12/12/2017 22:09

It's up to the individual what they choose to do, I'm currently on the register for all including medical research. The trainee doctors need something to practice on. I don't care about my body when I no longer inhabit it

NewBrian · 12/12/2017 22:12

How many face transplants do you think the NHS does... When I joined there it wasn’t even an option.

BatShite · 12/12/2017 22:12

I've carried a donor card for many years but if an opt out system is introduced it will be torn up and I will opt out. It's not the Government or anyone's business to decide what happens to my organs, it's mine.

It would still be your business though? As if you felt strongly about it you could opt out (as you plan on doing apparently) rather than opting in as it currently is. The choice is still there. I don't really understand why someone would opt into the current system (presumably to help people?) but then opt out if the system changes (to...spite?)

Originalfoogirl · 12/12/2017 22:14

Opt out will work exactly the same as opt in. Tick a box to say yay or nay then tick the list of boxes which say what you want to give or not.

I seems you were happy with it until Big Bad Government want to take the sensible decision of opting everyone in and now you want to opt out on principle. All your flawed arguments would apply whether it’s opt in or opt out.

Something has to be done. Over 450 people died waiting for a transplant in 2016. Two thirds of people polled say they are in favour of opt out and yet only 39% of people are on the register. It seems many who are happy to donate, for whatever reason, aren’t signing up. So making it opt out will correct that inertia.

But opt in, opt out, whatever you do, talk to your family and tell them your wishes as in all cases the family have the final say. In 2016, 1,100 families in the UK decided not to allow organ donation because they were unsure, or did not know whether their relatives would have wanted to donate an organ or not.

slashlover · 12/12/2017 22:14

I can't find anything on the NHS website about face transplants. Link? The only thing I can find is about tissue donation which may be used to help people with facial injuries/burns etc.

There's no need to google OP, all info is here www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Sallystyle · 12/12/2017 22:15

I really don't agree with an opt out system. There was a thread about it recently actually.

I also don't agree that if you aren't on the register you shouldn't receive an organ if you need one. Organ donation is a gift, not a tit for tat thing. It is based on medical needs, not morals. I want to donate my organs as a gift, I don't care if the person who hypothetically gets them is on the list or not. I don't want organ donation to come with strings attached.

I did think about opting out if we get an opt out system but after seriously thinking about it for all of a few minutes I decided that it would be a bit of an arsehole move. I am not going to take a stand when that means someone potentially won't get my organs just because I don't agree with how the system works. It won't be the person who needs my organ's fault, so opting out is not something my conscience could live with.

littlemissalwaystired · 12/12/2017 22:18

Why on earth are people with donor cards currently, saying they'll opt out if it becomes that way? Seriously, WHY? "I'm happy to donate my organs now but if it becomes opt out then noooo the government can't own my body" etc. etc. Hmm genuinely bafflingConfused

curryforbreakfast · 12/12/2017 22:18

What about loved ones a funeral is an important part of greaving. Once it’s opt out where are the limits? How would your family feel if your face was transplanted and they started seeing you everyday in the street? What happens when they decide they don’t have enough suitable dead donors will you be forced to give up a kidney while alive? Or if they have too many organs what happens then will there be regulation on how organs are disposed of?

Are you drunk?

Hohofortherobbers · 12/12/2017 22:19

I have always been freaked out about the idea of cremation and burial. Donating as much of my body as possible sounds like a good plan to me. I dont think my family couldn't grieve me if i wasn't in a specified place to visit. The process of a funeral and the knowledge of where my body was (ie in several living people) would suffice I expect.
I had a blood transfusion previously though .... does that mean I wouldn't qualify? Was disappointed I couldn't donate blood again afterwards. I was always a regular donator before. I

Username12345 · 12/12/2017 22:21

SleepingStandingUp No and no.

Original poster
Jamiek80 · 12/12/2017 22:23

Face transplants was on government website. I’m guessing that the vast majority of people on here are not in favour of opt out as this gives people the option to refuse and they seem to be of the opinion everyone should be forced to give up whatever organs are required.

OP posts:
oliveinacampervan · 12/12/2017 22:24

No-one should be forced to do anything.

oliveinacampervan · 12/12/2017 22:24

I also don't agree that if you aren't on the register you shouldn't receive an organ if you need one. Organ donation is a gift, not a tit for tat thing. It is based on medical needs, not morals. I want to donate my organs as a gift, I don't care if the person who hypothetically gets them is on the list or not. I don't want organ donation to come with strings attached.

Good post. And good points. To say 'you don't get to have your life saved if you don't join the be-a-donor club,' is spiteful and mean.

There are some arseholes on this thread.