Organ donation

[Pete]

Seeing these adverts on the TV has got me thinking. So many people are dying while on the waiting list for a spare organ to become available because there simply aren't enough people on the organ donation register. I was sitting there thinking it's really sad but then I realised that if I die then my organs probably wouldn't go to help someone else because I haven't been arsed to register!

The issue I'm wrestling with is a persons "right" to an organ when they haven't given consent or object to giving their own up when they die. I don't think they do deserve to have any donated organ if they haven't given consent to allow their own to be used.
The "opt out" system is the only way to go I believe...and I don't see why anyone would have a problem with this. It would be a net that catches people like myself who wants to donate but just didn't think to register. If you don't believe in organ donation then surely you would be conscious enough to omit yourself from the register.

It therefore stands to reason that if you don't want your organs to be donated for whatever reason, religious or otherwise, then you simply don't believe in the principle. Therefore, you should simply not be entitled to an organ no matter the circumstances and the same personal principles and values remain intact.

[Calvin]

I am very much for organ donation, but don't support an opt-out system.

You said that you wanted to donate your organs but weren't arsed to register. If an opt-out was introduced, equally there would be people that don't want to donate their organs, but wouldn't arsed to register.

I think giving a part of you to someone else can't be based on an assumption.

[Pete]

I am very much for organ donation, but don't support an opt-out system.

You said that you wanted to donate your organs but weren't arsed to register. If an opt-out was introduced, equally there would be people that don't want to donate their organs, but wouldn't arsed to register.

I think giving a part of you to someone else can't be based on an assumption.

I see what you mean but I think if an opt out situation was introduced then it would mean people who didn't wan't their organs to be donated would have to act. Right now the default situation is that nothing happens...and people ar dying through ignorance and laziness.

I'm treating the people who don't want to donate as the ones who should actively make a decision. A massive awareness campaign to highlight the new rules would solve the problem. If you don't want to donate simply tell your GP or go online...it's not rocket science...and if you do you shouldn't expect any organs to come your way.

[Calvin]

I see what you mean but I think if an opt out situation was introduced then it would mean people who didn't wan't their organs to be donated would have to act. Right now the default situation is that nothing happens...and people ar dying through ignorance and laziness.

I'm treating the people who don't want to donate as the ones who should actively make a decision. A massive awareness campaign to highlight the new rules would solve the problem. If you don't want to donate simply tell your GP or go online...it's not rocket science...and if you do you shouldn't expect any organs to come your way.
Yes I know what you mean, exactly, and in an ideal world everyone who wanted to opt-out, should opt-out. But I don't believe that we can say "well they didn't opt-out so they must have wanted us to take their organs" as much as I'd like to.

It's an interesting idea not to give organ transplants to non-donors. I like it but not sure if I agree with it, I'm gonna have to do some thinking about that one.

[Hibbyradge]

Text, phone or register online. (http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/how_to_become_a_donor.jsp)

[GlesgaeHibby]

I am very much for organ donation, but don't support an opt-out system.

You said that you wanted to donate your organs but weren't arsed to register. If an opt-out was introduced, equally there would be people that don't want to donate their organs, but wouldn't arsed to register.

I think giving a part of you to someone else can't be based on an assumption.

Not wanting to donate your organs is an illogical stance. You have no need for them once you are dead.

We have a chronic shortage of organs for transplants. An opt out system is definitely the best way to go to, as it will mean a rise in number of organs available.

If you still, for whatever reason, feel strongly about donating your organs you can still opt out. Choice is still included.

[Speedy]

Seeing these adverts on the TV has got me thinking. So many people are dying while on the waiting list for a spare organ to become available because there simply aren't enough people on the organ donation register. I was sitting there thinking it's really sad but then I realised that if I die then my organs probably wouldn't go to help someone else because I haven't been arsed to register!

The issue I'm wrestling with is a persons "right" to an organ when they haven't given consent or object to giving their own up when they die. I don't think they do deserve to have any donated organ if they haven't given consent to allow their own to be used.
The "opt out" system is the only way to go I believe...and I don't see why anyone would have a problem with this. It would be a net that catches people like myself who wants to donate but just didn't think to register. If you don't believe in organ donation then surely you would be conscious enough to omit yourself from the register.

It therefore stands to reason that if you don't want your organs to be donated for whatever reason, religious or otherwise, then you simply don't believe in the principle. Therefore, you should simply not be entitled to an organ no matter the circumstances and the same personal principles and values remain intact.

I wouldn't support that because it implies that your organ isn't really yours i.e. you're not really donating your organ, it is being taken from you without your consent.

I think it has to be 'opt in' but ensuring that there is a high awareness and also making it very easy to do.

[Beefster]

I'll be controversial here and accuse anyone who doesn't register for organ donation, either through laziness or because they just never get around to it, to be uber-selfish morons of the highest order.

To a lesser extent, I'd also include families of the deceased who go against the deceased's wishes and don't allow donation to proceed.

If there's a reason for not registering, such as religious, moral, etc, I can accept that.

Needless to say, I'm all for the 'opt-out' system. The numbers of people dying and suffering who needn't be is shocking. This could be more or less fixed with a simple piece of legislation.

[GlesgaeHibby]

I wouldn't support that because it implies that your organ isn't really yours i.e. you're not really donating your organ, it is being taken from you without your consent.

I think it has to be 'opt in' but ensuring that there is a high awareness and also making it very easy to do.

It already is easy to opt in. Only takes a minute or two.

[lyonhibs]

As far as I'm aware, once your brown bread, you have no need for your organs.

Once I've got my mum's consent in the - hopefully unlikely - event of me kicking the bucket before her, I'll be signing up to this straight away.

It's unlikely that anyone - for whatever reasons, moral, ethical, personal or religious - who was dead set against organ donation wouldn't have made this expressedly clear in their will, or at least to friends and family, in which case they can opt-out.

In other circumstances, I don't think assuming consent is wrong or dangerous.

[ArabHibee]

As far as I'm aware, once your brown bread, you have no need for your organs.

Once I've got my mum's consent in the - hopefully unlikely - event of me kicking the bucket before her, I'll be signing up to this straight away.

It's unlikely that anyone - for whatever reasons, moral, ethical, personal or religious - who was dead set against organ donation wouldn't have made this expressedly clear in their will, or at least to friends and family, in which case they can opt-out.

In other circumstances, I don't think assuming consent is wrong or dangerous.

Why do you need your Mum's consent?

[lyonhibs]

Why do you need your Mum's consent?

I don't NEED it per se, I'd just feel more comfortable if she was aware and in agrement with the choice I'm making.

I'm 99% sure she feels the same re: organ donation as me in any case.

[ArabHibee]

I don't NEED it per se, I'd just feel more comfortable if she was aware and in agrement with the choice I'm making.

I'm 99% sure she feels the same re: organ donation as me in any case.

No probs, I was just a little unsure as to what you meant.

Even though you register for organ donation, I would urge everyone to advise their family that they have done this. I remember telling my parents and my Mum didn't seem too chuffed about it. I also told my brother who was totally in agreement with me. So if something did happen to me, they can fight it out between themselves but they will be fully aware of my wishes. I'll be past caring anyway. :cool2:

[(((Fergus)))]

If we combine an opt-out law with assisted suicide legislation, we can kill two birds with one stone:

1) Clear wards of many useless people.
2) Harvest a load of 'fresh'* organs.

* Best to remove the organs before killing the donor and/or as part of the killing process.

[Beefster]

If we combine an opt-out law with assisted suicide legislation, we can kill two birds with one stone:

1) Clear wards of many useless people.
2) Harvest a load of 'fresh'* organs.

* Best to remove the organs before killing the donor and/or as part of the killing process.

You're assuming that there are no safeguards put into any assisted suicide legislation. Do 'useless people' in Switzerland and the Netherlands, who don't want to die, get murdered en masse?

Incidentally, AFAIK, suicide is not a crime in Scotland so I'm not sure that helping someone to commit suicide would be.

In the meantime, we can make those with terminal illnesses, who want to die, and those with failing organs suffer horrendously. No-one wins.

[(((Fergus)))]

You're assuming that there are no safeguards put into any assisted suicide legislation. Do 'useless people' in Switzerland and the Netherlands, who don't want to die, get murdered en masse?

Incidentally, AFAIK, suicide is not a crime in Scotland so I'm not sure that helping someone to commit suicide would be.

In the meantime, we can make those with terminal illnesses, who want to die, and those with failing organs suffer horrendously. No-one wins.

Yes, it's an opt-in system for assisted suicide in Europe at the moment - although we have had official compulsory euthenasia in the recent past and there's always unofficial euthenasia via overdose. The trouble with poisoning is that it compromises the quality of the organs. It would be much better if we could take the 'good' bits out and then kill the rest of the person - sort of like a salvage yard for cars.

[Westie1875]

I'd encourage everyone to be an organ donor unless there are religious reasons why you can't.

As others have said, you don't need them once you're dead. Also, you're not only saving one life - I knew someone who was a donor and following their death their organs helped 5 other people.

[Woody1985]

This thread has made me decided to sign up.

I've always thought about it and may have actually done it in the past.

Not sure who'd want mine with my binge drinking, smoking and pretty crap diet though! They'll probably make them more ill.

I am known at the doctors differently from my birth certificate (changed my last name when I was younger). How will that work?

Again, it's just laziness that I've not changed my name at the doctors.


EDIT; I just signed up in both names.

Told them I want to keep my yaks though for reasons that may be part of Lyons decision i.e. if something happens to me I don't want to be rushed away to get my yaks ripped out as my mum/family would probably want to see me one last time.

Anyway, I'm off from this morbid thread. :LOL:

[Kaiser_Sauzee]

My Grandad got 19 years out of a heart transplant and we thank the donor for every one of those days that we got with him.

To people who "can't be arsed" registering - I hope they don't need an organ one day...

[Cocaine&Caviar]

This thread has been a success already, I just registered :thumbsup:

[Removed]

This thread has been a success already, I just registered :thumbsup:

:agree: And me

I've had similar arguements with folk who can't be arsed giving blood. Should really be no excuse unless you have a medical reason why you can't. I'd go so far as to say if you're not a donor or exempt then tough luck if you need a transfusion but I know that would be seen by some as fairly radical so I won't.

[Jonnyboy]

:agree: And me

I've had similar arguements with folk who can't be arsed giving blood. Should really be no excuse unless you have a medical reason why you can't. I'd go so far as to say if you're not a donor or exempt then tough luck if you need a transfusion but I know that would be seen by some as fairly radical so I won't.

Am registered for organ donation but can't give blood for medical reasons - and no I'm not HIV despite being a hobo :wink:

[lapsedhibee]

Am registered for organ donation but can't give blood for medical reasons - and no I'm not HIV despite being a hobo :wink:

Is it to dodge paternity suits brought against you by close relatives then? :dunno:

[Riordans Boots]

Text, phone or register online. (http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/how_to_become_a_donor.jsp)

I've heard the advert on the radio now for weeks ... and done nothing about it. So thanks - I've just registered :agree:

[Jonnyboy]

Is it to dodge paternity suits brought against you by close relatives then? :dunno:

:confused:

[lapsedhibee]

:confused:

It's what we hobos do when not sharing needles, selling pegs, etc.