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Original poster

Donor consent law is being changed...

895 replies

flirtygirl · 16/03/2019 10:39

Aibu to have expected more information before they changes the law, did they do a consultation? I feel miffed that it is now going to be deemed consent and you have to opt out.

But what if the system is down or the opt out which is digital and online, did not get stored properly? What about when you move and change address? Do you have to tell every medical practitioner manually as well?

There is no info it seems on what this will mean. If you have info or any helpful links please let me know, thanks

OP posts:
UterusesBeforeDuderuses · 16/03/2019 11:03

Because choosing to not opt out isn't the same as murdering a human formerbabe?

LettuceP · 16/03/2019 11:03

I think it's brilliant! I feel the same as others on this thread in that I cannot understand why anyone would want to opt out. They can take it all from me, I won't need it and I like the thought that it could improve or save someone's life.

formerbabe · 16/03/2019 11:03

Well the kidney that was donated to my grandma did save a life and allowed her to live an additional 20 years and meet her great grandchildren so that is a pretty dickish thing to say tbh

That's great. But to be quite honest, I have no responsibility to do anything for your or anyone elses family...just as no one has any responsibility or obligation to mine.

tinytemper66 · 16/03/2019 11:04

I have power of attorney for my son who may not be able to decide the best course of action for himself. If his organs can save someone then I would say yes. They can also have any part of me when I die as I am only going to rot to dust.
Having a close friend needing a transplant and then being lucky enough to have a brave family member to donate their kidney plus having ill parents and a disabled son, makes me realise how fragile we are and why not help if you can? My family know my wishes.

HardofCleaning · 16/03/2019 11:04

If you're opting out will you also be opting out of receiving donor organs? Or are only your body parts sacred?

Prequelle · 16/03/2019 11:04

If it's all about number of lives saved them why not kill one prisoner serving life...

You just lost any little credibility you had with that absurd suggestion.

U2HasTheEdge · 16/03/2019 11:04

I am very much against an opt out system but very pro organ donation.

For all those people saying that if you wouldn't donate an organ you shouldn't receive one, that is just silly. Thankfully, medical treatment is based on needs, not morals.

Not that it is going to make much of a difference anyway, considering it will still be NOK who gets the final say.

I completely agree with formerbabe

HardofCleaning · 16/03/2019 11:04

@formerbabe

Fine then opt out. Also opt out of receiving organs.

formerbabe · 16/03/2019 11:05

Because choosing to not opt out isn't the same as murdering a human formerbabe

But the argument put out is about number of lives saved...if lives saved is the only important thing above ethics then surely you must be pro saving 6 lives at the cost of 1?

Prequelle · 16/03/2019 11:05

But to be quite honest, I have no responsibility to do anything for your or anyone elses family...just as no one has any responsibility or obligation to mine
Where have I heard this before? Oh, antivaxxers. More people who think there's conspiracies and governments trying to exercise control instead of y'know, trying to save people's lives.

CostanzaG · 16/03/2019 11:06

That's great. But to be quite honest, I have no responsibility to do anything for your or anyone elses family...just as no one has any responsibility or obligation to mine

How's society working out for you formerbabe?

isabellerossignol · 16/03/2019 11:06

I agree with formerbabe. I am very pro organ donation, and have been on the donor register for years. But the idea that one's body belongs to the state unless you state otherwise is a very scary concept.

Spiderbanana · 16/03/2019 11:07

*I am very much against an opt out system but very pro organ donation.

For all those people saying that if you wouldn't donate an organ you shouldn't receive one, that is just silly. Thankfully, medical treatment is based on needs, not morals.*

Then surely it is ok to harvest organs without any consent at all if we are going to prioritise needs over morals? Hmm

UterusesBeforeDuderuses · 16/03/2019 11:07

It's not just about lives saved, it's about not being utterly selfish by allowing other people to die while your much needed organs go to waste because of some moral stance

HardofCleaning · 16/03/2019 11:07

I don't think people should not be allowed to receive organs if they choose to opt out because in our health care system even nasty, morally bankrupt people get treated which I think is correct. However if you consider yourself a moral person you can't opt out of giving your organs and opt in to receiving other peoples.

The key point here is people like @formerbabe are complacent and selfish. Deep down she thinks this won't ever happen to her so she doesn't have to care. If she was in the situation of having her life dependent on a donated organ she'd suddenly change her tune.

CostanzaG · 16/03/2019 11:07

prequelle you just beat me to the anti-vaxx analogy..

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 16/03/2019 11:07

I have had loved ones needing a transplant, my cousin waited years for a kidney and in the end my auntie gave her one, which has shortened my aunties life by 10 years.

You've been misinformed here. Donating a kidney does not reduce your life expectancy and to claim that it does is extremely harmful.

Opt out of donating if you wish. There was a consultation and this has been being talked about for a long time, and if it's important to you, you may wish to set up a news alert for it if you don't generally read things that cover organ donation or law changes.

Don't spread misinformation, though. Either keep your views to yourself or make sure you are informed.

VampirateQueen · 16/03/2019 11:08

I heard that they were going to try and get the law changed a year or 2 ago, this isn't news to me. It is the right policy. If you dobtvlike it opt out.

isabellerossignol · 16/03/2019 11:08

Although in my case I wouldn't opt out.

But I still think the idea of presumed consent is ethically dubious.

formerbabe · 16/03/2019 11:10

In what other area of life would we think presumed consent was acceptable?

UterusesBeforeDuderuses · 16/03/2019 11:10

I get what people are saying about presumed consent. But this isn't secret information, it is widely available information that has been publicised on the news for quite a while. So if you know that, and choose not to opt out, that in itself is consent

Prequelle · 16/03/2019 11:12

Presumed consent is used throughout the NHS every single day.

formerbabe · 16/03/2019 11:12

It's not just about lives saved, it's about not being utterly selfish

It's absolutely fine to be selfish in regards to bodily autonomy.

Original poster
flirtygirl · 16/03/2019 11:12

The inconsistency of the date is that the NHS website says 2020 April it comes into effect but news have reported it as coming into effect this week.

OP posts:
CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 16/03/2019 11:13

In what other area of life would we think presumed consent was acceptable?

Any other area of life (or indeed death) where it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever to the person involved (them being, you know, dead) with huge potential benefit to others. Don't be ridiculous trying to draw parallels with other consent issues. There is nothing comparable.