If someone doesnt agree with organ donation, should they be able to have a transplant if needed?

[misdee]

have been reading the BBC 'have your say' on organ donation. this point was raised by someone. remember you are more likely to need a transplant than be a donor.

I think everyone should be treated equally when it comes to having the right to a transplant (without getting into rankings and how high up the list).

Morally though, I think they would be wrong to accept a transplant if they object to the whole idea and would not donate if the position was reversed.

i'm a doner as is dp and i would hate to think that someone who wouldn't donate could have my organs, especially with all the kids and people like your dh waiting for a donation.

i do think people who aren't doners should be bottom of the list, it takes 2 minites to fill out the card.... i bet we'd be surprised how quickly donation rates would rise if these people were faced with being denied an organ if they needed it.

Sorry misdee, was looking on your have your say and couldn't find it!

Not sure. I suppose you could argue that they wouldn't be entitled, but what happens if they change their mind? Lots of people don't believe in testing on animals for drugs, but would they decline a life-saving drug for that reason if it were the only way they could stay alive?

One possibility is that you sign a document indicating that you wish to be an organ donor and only those who have signed such a document would be eligible in the event that they need one themselves. But what about children and others who perhaps cannot indicate one way or another?

I still feel the way to go is for those who do not want to donate to opt out (rather than the NHS relying on those who opt in) and then, if they did that, they would knowingly exclude themselves as a potential recipient.

I meant that i was keen to read it, but couldn't see it.

However, i carry a donor card, and have done since i was 16. I would be a bit annoyed if my organs, or a loved one's organs were given to someone who thought it wrong, or didn't agree with it. I suppose though we don't have a say who gets them

That thread got me sooooo wound up yesterday misdee. I wonder how many of them who won't donate would just lay down and die if they needed an organ. Not many I should think - I expect they'd soon change their minds.

here

StG, if only the list was so easy as people belive. organs are offered to the closest hospital first, if no-one suitable there then it goes down the list across the country. then they match up organ with person most suitable, however if there are two people the same blod type, tissue typ, heart weight etc, thenm it doesnt go on who has been wiating longer, its just a lottery at that point. BUT if that hospital has had someone on the urgent list, and have reeived the last heart then it goes elsewhere.

its soemthing like that anyway.

peter brother wont go on the register. i wont discuss it with him as i'd end up smacking him one

But would anyone who needs a lifesaving transplant actually disagree with donation?

why won't your BIL go on it misdee?

I get very annoyed with people who say they won't go on the register! I have told DH and everyone in my family. Dh is on the register, as is my brothers.
What do you think of the new ruling that is coming into force which means that Doctors can ignore relatives and go ahead and remove organs if the donor's consent was given before death!

Oh I know misdee, that's why I was generalising when I said 'everyone should be treated equally?.

It is an unfortunate fact that whilst donation levels are so abysmally low, there will always have to be some sort of ?ranking? systems in place and geography obviously has to be on there when organs have such a short time in which to be used.

That?s why I will always be in favour of the ?opt-out? rather than the ?opt-in? system. At least then the numbers available might go up.

i dont know tommy. itys his decision and i wont discuss it with him as it makes me angry. my 6 year old daughter put herself on the register during national transplant week.

misdee- in your experience - what kind of reasons have you found for people NOT wanting to donate organs ( I heard someone at work saying the other day that they could never donate their eyes because they would want to "see" where they were going to. serious.)

I cant think of a real reason why someone would not want to this. I have been on the register since secondary school, its never been issue- what would I want with my organs if I am dead?

i think you BIL is very starnge, seeing that peter needs a hear so badly, youd think he would be the first to sign up.

all 3 of dh's brothers were tested to see if they are a bone marrow match, one is, and the other two were gutted when they found out that they didn't match.

Re your BIL Nowt so strange as folk eh?

I often wonder why some families refuse, even though the person has a donor card!

i iwhsi knew why he wont register.

some people still belive that medics wont help you if they know you are a donor.

and people wont donate hearts as they feel that is how people love (actually its just a pump but whatever)

removing the eyes, especially with young ones, when they fit the prohestic eyes in, can leave a lot of bruising, which for open caskets is not nice to see, as it cant be hidden by clothes.

they can have anything of mine though.

wow, never thhought of it that way round before - that's one i could possibly persuade my fil with.
why on earth hasn't uk got an opt out system? many european countries have haven't they???

I've been on the register for many years.Before I was married,I knew my parents would carry out my wishes if I needed to donate anything.
However,since DH doesn't agree with it,I've always had the feeling that he would say no if it ever came down to it.So I'm very pleased to see the change in the law,that means my wishes will be taken into account.

Personally I like to able to say no to those who would not donate.Unfortunately, this would be wrong and I do think that if someone is ill they should be given every help to become well.

Very pleased with the new rules. I'm sure many more people will be helped and saved.

I thought I'd add this. I know it's been about recently but this seemed like a good thread to revive it on
register here

Although my instant reaction would be "No, don't let those who won't give, receive" but thats just a knee jerk reaction. I have believed all sorts of things which changed as my experiences changed and ultimately I believe that people should be treated (medically) according to their need not their beliefs. If they are prepared to accept the transplant I would give it to them if they are the most suitable choice.

I would happily have my organs transplanted into a miserable old crow who didn't previously believe in transplants if it gave them a new life. It would no doubt also persuade more of their family to be donors.

I am on donor register purely because I believe that if I needed help, (or a member of my family)then I would want to be helped and to be considered for a donor. Surely if you would accept a donor you should be willing to give a donor?