Organ donation, opt in, or opt out?

[misdee]

opt out.

Gillian, the problem is that carrying a donor card or even registering can be overridden by next of kin...

Misdee - not everyone feels that way though. I think some people believe they need them in the next life even.

I can imagine that if your dh/ds/dd died very suddenly and tragically it would be very difficult to consent to further 'trauma' by knowing that parts of them were being taken away. I think that's why it's important that the decision is made by the potential donor in life and why there should not be the option for a family member to dispute it. It's just too difficult. If a person is on the register then why would there be any question about it - why can't it just go ahead?

I know. Perhaps if a relative of mine was on the list I'd feel differently. Just can't get me head round it though. I don't think we "belong" to anyone iyswim.

Then how about leaving it opt in and not allowing next of kin to veto the deceased's wishes?

I just feel like it's a very personal decision to make - not the government's - and that I'm - or that government are - in no position to make it for someone else.

Exactly, GDG.

Yes, gdg, I agree. Your signing up in life should be all that matters. It's your wish after all.

I can certainly imagine struggling with consenting to my child's organs being taken away and donated..ultimately I would consent because I would want to spare another parent the trauma I was going through, would want another child to have the chance of life and would like to know my child had helped that happen (and therefore not died in vain). It would be very, very hard though I think - I can imagine wanting to keep them as 'perfect' as possible - do you know what I mean?

I'm waffling now I know - it's just on my mind.

I agree expat.

I would agree for my DHs or any of the children's organs to be taken. It probably sounds pedantic therefore, but I just don't think it should be assumed.

i also struggle with the idea of donating my kids parts if they should die, but i know there is a risk (i am having to arrange tests) that one or more of them will have peters heart condiotion, and may need a transplant themselves in further years. i know of 4 children who will possibly need transplants when older, and when you know that by saying yes for organs to be used could save the lives of many, then maybe then its not such a hard decision to make. i hope that when my kids are older they will make the decision themselves to go onto the donations register.

Then the government gets to set all sorts of parameters and rules regarding donation. That's the bit I don't like. One of my friends died in a climbing accident at 23. He had made it clear he wanted to donate his organs, and no one disputed it. But his family were allowed to say goodbye as long as they needed.

I can imagine if the government entered into it all we'd see scenarios designed to clear the bed as soon as.

Yes, it's just a bunch of cells, but it's a bunch of cells that once housed all that was mortal of someone who meant VERY much to someone and I just don't think the government has any right to the relationship between someone and their deceased loved one.

Although I do agree that if a person has opted in the next of kin shouldn't be allowed to veto that person's decision.

"Opt in" I think, but I wish more people opted in of course.

i dont think they would clear the bed as soon as. organs can only be used from people dying in a certain way (head trauma, mainly from car accidents/falls), and in a way their bodys are kept alive whilst they test the brain to see if its dead. the person has to be brain dead, and they check twice to make sure. the family get to say goodbye (as long as they need as the person is on life support), then the organs are 'harvested', the body is cleaned up etc, and the family can go and see them in teh chapel of rest.

they have to consider the families feelings in all this, which is why atm they have the last say.

I don't trust the government to consider families. Or anyone for that matter. And I certainly don't trust them to assume my consent for anything at all as regards my body.

So I'm firmly opt in.

and you say opt in expat, are you signed up?

i'm like a broken record i know, i honestly dont any of you to die. even tho i bleat on about the importance of organ donation.

As I said before, I think it's a very personal decision, as all things are regarding our bodies, and chose to keep it that way.

ok.

Interesting discussion on Jeremy Vine about this last week or so!

One man rang in and said they had used his brother's organs to help a variety of people - he said it helped him enormously to get over his death, however his brother's widow had a harder time of it thinking of him as being without certain bits when they 'met' again - it must be difficult.

Apparently it's extremely rare for family members to go against an individual's wishes.

I think you only have to think about the 'what if's' if you or a member of your family were desperate.

And me? - I'm an opt out vote

I'm an opt in... I want it to be my concious decision, not a matter of course to take half my body.

BUT - a big NO to next of kin being able to veto your choice. Once a person has made that choice, it is still theirs...whether they are dead or not!

Sorry to hijack important topic but Jools, how are you on-line??? Did you go home?

I'm opt out...........

But then, I've watched a child go the colour of mustard in 4 short days waiting for a liver transplant. And get one at the eleventh hour.

My friend's next door neighbour's baby will need a liver transplant in childhood.

I have another friend whose 6 year old has a new heart and is thriving.

I have another online friend who has 3 out of her 4 children with DCM (same as Peter) who will all probably need new hearts.

More and more children with congenital diseases (particularly heart diseases) are being temporarily 'fixed' but will need new organs in adulthood - conversely due to medical advances less and less people are dying in circumstances where organs can be taken. The result is that there will be more people on the list and less organs available.

Whilst it's still opt in......please sign up.

Me and Dh discussed this last night, I am on the register, and have said that they can take any part of me except my eyes. Dh said at first that he would refuse to give permission but I said that as an adult I have the right to say what happens to my body and that would be my dying wish to help others in the event of my death. I am O+ and know that that will help a few people.

I too feel uncomfortable with the implications of an opt-out system, but feel that the current system could be plugged more eg it used to be the case that when you got a new driving licence a donor card was enclosed - well the application for for a driver's licence could have a check the box if you want to go on the register. That way it doesn't become an "extra" piece of admin to perform.

But I don't think that relatives should overrule someone's consent to be a donor. Can a relative currently consent to donation if the individual isn't on the register out of interest? Presumably for kids?

Just had a quick search of Hansard - apparently the rate of refual to donate by relatives is running at about 42%.

is that from everyone or from people who are on the list but whos relatives so no.