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

AlternativePerspective I am really sorry to hear about your heart situation but well done on improving your heart.

And yes I agree.

'But I don’t agree with this notion that anyone who hypothetically wouldn’t donate their organs is a selfish arsehole who doesn’t deserve to live if they find themselves in the position of needing an organ.'

Yes, I agree with you. If I were to die and the best fit for my unused organs were a person who would not donate I would still want them to live.

As a thought experiment. I wonder would someone who refuses to donate organs accept a transplanted heart to save their own life but then insist when they die, that said heart is incinerated rather than pass it on and save someone else's life?

OK. Disturbing thread. Thanks to all who have shared how painful it was to have their loved ones donate organs, and sorry for your horrific experiences.

I'm out, and no matter how many stupid names, words and judging you throw at me, I will continue to be out. My body, my choice.

@Luckystar777

It absolutely is your choice.

Sadly though if everyone thought “my body my choice...” there would be no hope for those who need transplants. So so sad.

The only reason people survived is thanks to the kindness of strangers.

God, yes, definitely! A country well known for its concern for human rights such as Israel is such a terrific role model for how to treat people hmm.

LOL, let's not go all 'Momentum' on this. Let's stay on topic.

I'm out, and no matter how many stupid names, words and judging you throw at me, I will continue to be out. My body, my choice.

Of course. It's your body, your choice. Fine.

And if there is an organ available and you're the only one who needs it, I'd much rather it went to you than went to waste.

But if there is an organ available that you need, and that one other person needs, and they have not opted out... sorry, but I think they should have higher priority than you do.

It's my mind, my choice. That's what I think. And if the system operated on that basis, I don't think many people would opt out. The possible consequences of their choice, and the value of their own life would weigh in their thoughts.

LOL, let's not go all 'Momentum' on this. Let's stay on topic.

Excuse me? You're the one who used a place like that as something to emulate. And you have no authority to order people on how they post, but then, well, your choice of role model says it all.

You can think what you like, MrsBethel but thankfully you and the other vultures aren't in charge of the country(Neither am I) so your opinion means nothing.

It's my mind, my choice. That's what I think. And if the system operated on that basis, I don't think many people would opt out. The possible consequences of their choice, and the value of their own life would weigh in their thoughts.

Well, thankfully, medical treatment in this country doesn't act on a quid pro quo basis or use patients' personal morality as a basis in ethics.

If you don't like Israel for whatever reason, that's your business. Whether it's their foreign policy you take issue with, or something else, that has absolutely no bearing on their organ donation system.

Call people vultures all you like, if it makes you feel better.

Personally call me what you like, as long as I know that I’m doing my best to help others in time of most need, I’m fine with that 🙂

Would you like to polish your own halo or should I do it for you?

Except that you suggested it as a role model the UK should emulate and adopt with regards to organ donation, Bethel.

Ahh so you would do something for someone else? Wasn’t sure if it was across the board....

eminencegrise
Yes, with respect to organ donation. To paraphrase Tina Turner, what's their human rights record got to do with it?

www.google.nl/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2219085/amp/Carina-Melchior-The-girl-wouldnt-die-Miracle-Danish-girl-woke-doctors-prepared-organs-donated.html

Sorry for the daily mail link, but if this can happen in Denmark, how can it be guaranteed that it won't happen somewhere else?

I don't think they do it on purpose, but I'm convinced doctors withdraw treatment too early in a lot of cases, particularly for the elderly.

I suppose you have to make sure the decision to declare someone brain-dead is completely separated from whoever is in charge of organ donation. Maybe make it a 'blind' decision, so the person making the declaration doesn't even know if the person is a donor or not? That would help keep them objective.

What happens to your body if you die with nobody to make funeral arrangements for you? Would the 'state' not step in then to dispose of your body? And surely you have to dispose of your body in a 'state-approved' manner either way? I'm not sure I really understand the point about the state 'owning' your body - they already impose laws about what you can and cannot do with it, so how is an opt-out system that anyone can choose to be a part of or not any different.

I'd definitely accept an organ if I needed one and for that reason I'll certainly be donating anything anyone wants after I'm dead.

How about this as an alternative?

An opt out system, but when people choose to opt out (or confirm 'in') they have to tick one of three boxes:
A) I will not donate any organs, and do not want to receive any donor organs for myself.
B) I will not donate any organs, but I want to receive a donor organ should I ever need one.
C) I confirm I wish to be an organ donor, and that I want to receive a donor organ should I ever need one.

Remember the whole 'nudge' thing from a few years back? That you don't necessarily need rules to make people do the right thing, sometimes they just need a nudge?
I reckon you'd end up with fewer people opting out if they had to tick that box in the middle - it would make them really think about it, and think about what it say about them. If ticking that box isn't "anti-social", then what on earth is?

I wouldn't tick anything in that case.

Great. Another donor.

This debate made me remember a Blakes 7 episode (Powerplay) last night - showing my age! There has been a war between humans and aliens and survivors of the war are ending up on various planets. Two of the Blakes 7 crew find themselves in a medical facility where they are very well treated for their injuries. Then they find out that the facility is an organ harvesting facility and they will be killed to get their organs. They are teleported out in the nick of time.

(the same storyline, in its first episode of a three-parter going over two series, has an interesting scene which also shows the dangers of driverless cars and hacking - the episode is Star One - it's interesting that old programmes can still resonate today)

And surely you have to dispose of your body in a 'state-approved' manner either way?

Actually you have a lot more freedom in this than you might think. You don't need to use a funeral director and you can be buried in your back garden if you wish ( subject to a couple of public health provisos)