Opting out of organ donation

[ringme]

So the law has changed and this spring the NHS will consider you to be an organ donor automatically if you don’t opt out. I haven’t had a chance to really consider this all yet, WIBU to opt out at this stage until I have time to think about it or is that a selfish move given that 408 people died last year waiting for a donor?

What will you be doing?

www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/about-organ-donation/faq/what-is-the-opt-out-system

My family know my wishes and will abide by them - or else!

Or else what? You’d be dead.

I don’t understand why anyone would opt out (except for sone religious reasons). The most important thing to do if you want to be a donor is make sure your family know. That makes a hard decision easier for them. They still have the final say.

Staying opted in while you think about it seems sensible. Likely more straight forward to opt out than to opt in again after opting out.
Also agree if you would want a donated organ for yourself or your family you should opt in.
If you are unsure i would still opt in.

I've also considered donating my body to medical science. My father had Parkinsons and it was only when he died that I discovered that you could donate your body. But I couldn't do it on his behalf. It was a shame, it might have been of use for scientists to be able to study his brain. So that is another option for people.

I think it's a great idea. People who do care will opt out, but this will be good for people who never made their views known or who never got round to registering anywhere. I agree that, morally, if you would take an organ for yourself or your child, then you should be be a donor yourself.

I've carried a homemade donor card since 1972 basically saying everything is up for grabs and family have always known about it. Now I'm thinking about the pp who mentioned leaving their body for research. I might consider that option.

Or else what Elphame? (Not that I'm saying they shouldn't abide by your wishes, of course they should, but what would you do about it, being dead and all?)

My body is worm food or crematorium fuel once I'm dead. I'm not bothered what happens to it and if any of it is useful then it should be used. I wouldn't ask my loved ones to do anything that upset them or cause them extra stress, but I would like them to authorise any organ donation and to arrange my disposal as cheaply and with as little damage to the environment as they can manage.

I don't understand how this is a dilemma for some people. Potentially save a life (possibly multiple lives) or take your organs to the grave to let them rot. Why would you think twice?

I'll be opting out on principle. In theory, I have no objection to my organs being donated but I dislike the presumption and find it a troubling infringement on our autonomy.

They still have the final say

So what's the point? As I mentioned above, I've been opted in since I was 18. Why on earth should my family ignore my wishes? I really think this is the main issue with organ donation - family members being too emotional. I get why - but there is no point burning or burying useful organs if the person wanted them to be used.

I've opted out. I've got an incurable cancer so they wouldn't want them anyway. I'm looking into donating my body to medical science.

They can have what they want of my carcass when I'm done using it. I wouldn't bother with my liver though. . .

I’m going to opt out as I wish to donate to medical science. Also just uneasy about it even being opt out bit presumptuous really.

I also think it's a good idea to have a talk to your family or make it clear on documentation that you want your organs donated. I have a file I keep updated with important documents should something happen to me, and that includes my wish that I be an organ donor if at all possible. DH knows this as does my DM.

They can take what they want. I'm already a blood donor, and on the priority donation list (give more) as I'm O-. When I'm dead I'm just spare parts.

I’ve been on the donor register since I was old enough and my family have always known my wishes so no change here.
I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t do it.

My sister died waiting for an organ transplant. I intellectually think people have the right entirely to opt out but I find it hard to understand why you'd do that and it makes me feel odd around those people who say they want to, especially people who say "I would have donated before but now I'm opting out to make a point". I'd never say anything in real life and of course I'm polite, but it's hard.

I will be opting out because I will be donating my body to a medical school.

And no, it should NEVER be the case that you have to be on the donor register before you're allowed to receive and organ.

Our NHS provides care based on medical need, and not on the perceived worthiness (or otherwise) of the patient.

My brothers organs were donated. We had to say our goodbyes while he was still on life support. Then he was brought for “surgery “ as it was described.

Even though people were helped, I still feel sick about it sometimes. It’s not easy for relatives saying goodbye.

It is a very personal decision, I had heard in the past that this was coming around. Just didn’t realise it was this year so I was a little taken aback when someone just reminded me.

I won’t be opting out though may specify to my relatives not to donate my eyes if at all possible. I wear glasses so they’re not that good anyway so may not have use for them. Bit silly I know but I’d like to keep my eyes...

I don’t mind my organs being used to save lives, but I don’t want my tissues to be given over to companies who then process it into “value added” products and sell it for profit. I also don’t want my uterus to be transplanted as in this scenario, or worse, to be used for experimental pregnancies for transgendered males.

I was on the donor register but I've also just signed up to let my body be taken for medical research. I like the idea of university students, future doctors, learning from me! It was a very easy process. My dh knows that of that's not possible, I'll be a donor and they can use any or all of me.

I live a couple of hundred miles away from where I was raised but I've applied there as I've told my husband I want to be sent 'home' to be worked on.

People saying they want to donate their body to medical research instead, have you actually made arrangements for this? Or is it just a vague idea?

Thanks op, I've registered to opt out.

The opt out situation doesn't sit right with me.

The state automatically having the right to your body once you're brain dead is the start of a very slippery slope imo.

I have donated my childs organs, and it's a fairly harrowing process, the thought of a family potentially going through that after having their loved one die unexpectedly and then not really having a say in it is chilling.

It should always be a gift, not an assumption.

@Elphame My family know my wishes and will abide by them - or else!

Or else what?

@formerbabe I'll be opting out on principle. In theory, I have no objection to my organs being donated but I dislike the presumption and find it a troubling infringement on our autonomy.

So you're actively making the decision to allow other people who could have lived to die as a direct result of your actions, because you 'dislike the presumption'?