View Full Version : Should everyone be seen as an Organ Donor?
Following from this story on the news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6902519.stm
Do you think that everyone should be considered a donor, unless they opt out of it?
(Please note that this is not if you are for or against donation in itself, that has already been discussed, but is if you like this potential system or not)
I agree with it. I think that a lot of people are in favor of Organ Donation, but just never do anything about it. If people are strongly against it, then its not hard to opt out. This would mean that it makes people think more seriously about it, i think.
I think it should go to everyone being a presumed donor. With the majority wanting to donate organs, it makes more sense for people to opt out than in to organ donation. Personally, I think there are a lot of people that won't bother to do anything unless they gain from it, in a way other than knowing that they've made a difference to a family somewhere, and so don't opt in. It would make people do something about it this way, if they didn't want to donate, and it could make some others who hadn't previously considered organ donation, think about it.
I agree. The body doesn't require organs after death and I think everybody should be given the chance to experience a good, healthy life and if that means changing the law then so be it.
Pinkbanana
17-07-2007, 21:34
Yep, I personally think its a better system for people to opted out of being a donor, rather than opting in.
Im all for this, my friend had a heart and lung transplant a couple of years back, and I know she wouldnt be around today, if it hadnt been for that transplant. Also I know of a guy, from my class at school, who died in car crash when he was 19. He had expressed (he, like most of us, whilst in 6th form, joined the donor register) a wish that his organs would be donated should he die. However, after his death (sudden and unexpected as it was) his parents refused permission.
I think also it must be incredible hard to put people in that position of asking them to use their loved ones organs, literally minutes after they have died, and I guess that the natural reaction for most people would be no. Sooo I think that if everybody is seen as a donor, then it takes pressure off, though it takes the decision out of people's hands.
I personally would be happy for my organs to benefit others. However under this current system, I cant be sure that will happen as ultimately I dont have the finally word regarding this, only my next of kin has.
Chloe O'brien
18-07-2007, 00:02
I think the systems should be changed. I'm sure there are many people who have thought about donating their organs after they die but for one reason or another they just don't get around to registering, and its not until you see some poor family on television appealing for a donor to be found to save their sick child that it makes you think what if it was you in that situation. Its also a lot more kinder to greaving families even if their loved one has requested that they leave their organs to be used the family may go against their wishes.
What use are your organs to you when you die. So many people could be given a new lease of life by you donating your organs. When you are dead you wont feel a thing. By the time you leave the undertakers your organs will be of no use to anyone. Think of the people who go daily for dialysis, need new hearts, livers and corneas. By your unselfish action you can give some family hope for a better future. Think about it folks. Your organs are no use to anyone six foot under or in a puff of smoke up the crematorium chimney. Give someone a better life in your death.
Yes I can be serious sometimes.
Jessie Wallace
18-07-2007, 01:05
I think it should be the other way round that you have to opt out of being a donor. As i think people should donate. But then i have a big problem as my Dad doesn't want to Donate nor does he if the occasion arose want to have anything donated to him, he is totally against it. God Forbit that anything would ever happen coz i don't know how i would cope with his wishes.
Is he against blood transfusions too or is this just a peronal thing for him. If you needed a new liver (not that I suggest you do unlike some on here) would he prevent you from having one
I am probably going to be attacked for this but I think it is a personal choice. I always carry a donor card but I know so many people who hate the thought of having their body organs taking after they are dead. Plus you can't make everyone be a donor, some religion don't allow you to give or recieve other people blood, organs etc...
The system is fine now, what it needs is more people to be exposed to those who need organs so they can see that after death they can save someone else and as so many have said, the organs are useless to you when you die.
You can't force people to be donors
i think this is a great idea there are so many people waiting on the transplant list when theres no need for it.
Im quite happy for them to take my organs after im gone, as long as its not my eyes would need to opt out on that one, but anything else they can take
I am probably going to be attacked for this but I think it is a personal choice. I always carry a donor card but I know so many people who hate the thought of having their body organs taking after they are dead. Plus you can't make everyone be a donor, some religion don't allow you to give or recieve other people blood, organs etc...
The system is fine now, what it needs is more people to be exposed to those who need organs so they can see that after death they can save someone else and as so many have said, the organs are useless to you when you die.
You can't force people to be donorsI know where you are coming from Siobhan. Its the same when people are told their loved one has to go for a Post Mortem.. Government shoud do a better job of educating people about organ donation.
to be honest Alan, I think your upbrining and religion has a lot to do with this.. I know most Catholics wouldn't donate as they feel they would not be compelete after death if organ were missing and they dont' see the big picture that their organs can help others live. If I thought any part of me could help someone else have a life then I don't need my bit as I am dead, let them have it. I have discussed this with my parents and they know my wishes as a donor
JustJodi
18-07-2007, 11:26
I have been carrying an organ donor card for the past 20 years..I am like Alan, if your dead, what good are your organs , once the undertaker fixes you up to go 6 ft under or like a puff of smoke thru the chimney,, sounds crass,, but its reality folks.
I have informed my partner about the card, so he knows I have the card and weither or not he respects my wishes is entirely another story, not all grieving, partners, spouses, respect the dying persons wishes.
I realize this is a sticky issue for some people who have strong religous beliefs but what it all boils down to is PERSONAL CHOICE,,:)
I like this quote from the article you posted Abi
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif Organ donation is a generous gift, not an obligation http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif
Patient Concern
If only people could see how much of a gift theirs or their family organs can be to other, that would increase the number of donors in UK and Ireland. If I had to make the choice (god forbid) if anything happened to my kids to donate, I would have no problem. But I would not expect my government to say it is a given..
I also strongly object to consenting relative even if someone carries a card.. it was up to that person to donate and they made the choice so why ask grieving people.. the dead person made that decision for them when alive.
Jessie Wallace
18-07-2007, 11:58
Is he against blood transfusions too or is this just a peronal thing for him. If you needed a new liver (not that I suggest you do unlike some on here) would he prevent you from having one
No it's just a personal thing for him, i'm not sure about Blood, but i think that's a no as well, i'll ask him later when Mum's not around.
to be honest Alan, I think your upbrining and religion has a lot to do with this.. I know most Catholics wouldn't donate as they feel they would not be compelete after death if organ were missing and they dont' see the big picture that their organs can help others live. If I thought any part of me could help someone else have a life then I don't need my bit as I am dead, let them have it. I have discussed this with my parents and they know my wishes as a donor
SOmetimes organs are retained for pathalogical examination. Maybe if folk new what happened during the embalming of a body they wouldnt worry so much about the retention of their organs. I do agree with religion playing an important factor in peoples thinking here. After all cremation is a thing up until recently largely shunned by Irish Catholics and still looked on with disgust by people in rural communities both North and South irrespective of their religious persuasion. If after death any part of my body is useful to anyone they are welcome to it before it goes up in smoke.
Plus you can't make everyone be a donor, some religion don't allow you to give or recieve other people blood, organs etc...
But they wouldn't be forced to donate. If people are against it, for whatever reason, then they can opt out of it. It wouldn't take that much effort.
Plus you can't make everyone be a donor, some religion don't allow you to give or recieve other people blood, organs etc...
But they wouldn't be forced to donate. If people are against it, for whatever reason, then they can opt out of it. It wouldn't take that much effort.
that is the thing thou.. people will go in and opt out so what is the difference to now where we can volunteer instead of been forced???
I am probably going to be attacked for this but I think it is a personal choice. I always carry a donor card but I know so many people who hate the thought of having their body organs taking after they are dead. Plus you can't make everyone be a donor, some religion don't allow you to give or recieve other people blood, organs etc...
The system is fine now, what it needs is more people to be exposed to those who need organs so they can see that after death they can save someone else and as so many have said, the organs are useless to you when you die.
You can't force people to be donors
i totally agree with you, it is a personal choice
Plus you can't make everyone be a donor, some religion don't allow you to give or recieve other people blood, organs etc...
You can't force people to be donors
According the the UK Transplant people, all of the major UK faiths supports organ donation ( http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/questions/answers/answers_9.jsp#q25 ). I know Jehovah's Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions. But at the end of the day, if it was a choice between life and death would you choose your religion over your life?
You're right, you can't force people to be donors. But I'm sure that those people who don't want to donate their organs will want others to donate their organs after they have passed on when they are in need of a kidney.
I think it takes more effort to sign up to the register "I'll do it tomorrow... I keep forgetting... etc" than to remove yourself from it. If you really don't want to give other people the gift of life after your death than it'll probably be top of somebody's list to sort out.
Do you have to go on the register??? I just carry my donor card and have informed my family of my choice
Do you have to go on the register??? I just carry my donor card and have informed my family of my choice
Come the time of you demise can you be sure your family will carry out your wishes though
Do you have to go on the register??? I just carry my donor card and have informed my family of my choice
Come the time of you demise can you be sure your family will carry out your wishes though
Yes I can cause they know I will haunt them if they don't comply..
Do you have to go on the register??? I just carry my donor card and have informed my family of my choice
You can just carry your card but its better if you sign up to the register as well. A card could get lost or damaged, or if you aren't carrying it when you are taken to hospital your wishes might not be carried out. The register is a secure way of recording your wishes. After signing up, your details and wishes will be recorded on a national database which is maintained by UK Transplant and is available to authorised medical personnel at the time of your death.It only takes a minute online. Here's the page to sign up http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/registration/consent.jsp
cheers Jellybelly but I checked out one for Ireland (republic) and they don't have one.. I checked out the site on my donor card and it doesn't have a register...
di marco
18-07-2007, 19:58
i think its a good idea cos if people are against it then they can take their names off, and like other people have said, atm people say they want to be on there but never get round to doing it so this way everyone that wants to be on there will be. they said on the news yesterday that at least 70% of the uks population want to donate their organs
di marco
18-07-2007, 20:02
Plus you can't make everyone be a donor, some religion don't allow you to give or recieve other people blood, organs etc...
You can't force people to be donors
According the the UK Transplant people, all of the major UK faiths supports organ donation ( http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/questions/answers/answers_9.jsp#q25 ). I know Jehovah's Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions. But at the end of the day, if it was a choice between life and death would you choose your religion over your life?
i said this to my mum last night, even if jehovahs witnesses dont agree with organ donation and so wont give their organs, surely if its the other way round they would want someone elses organs, but my mum said that apparently they are against receiving other peoples organs, and as they are so against it would rather see their children die or bleed to death etc than let them have an organ transplant or a blood transfusion. i dont know any jehovahs witnesses personally so i dont know how accurate that this
Jessie Wallace
18-07-2007, 20:06
i said this to my mum last night, even if jehovahs witnesses dont agree with organ donation and so wont give their organs, surely if its the other way round they would want someone elses organs, but my mum said that apparently they are against receiving other peoples organs, and as they are so against it would rather see their children die or bleed to death etc then let them have an organ transplant or a blood transfusion. i dont know any jehovahs witnesses personally so i dont know how accurate that this
That is true DM, because of their elieves they are totally against it. No organs no blood, let nature take it's course is what they believe. And yes even if they own child needs help they will not accept it.
From Wilk -
Jehovah’s Witnesses reject transfusions of whole blood and its primary components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma). This is due to the belief that blood is sacred and represents life in God’s eyes. Jehovah’s Witnesses understand scriptures such as Leviticus 17:10-14 (which speaks of not partaking in any blood) to include taking blood into the body via a transfusion.[35] Controversy has stemmed, however, from what critics state are inconsistencies in Witness policies on blood.
i said this to my mum last night, even if jehovahs witnesses dont agree with organ donation and so wont give their organs, surely if its the other way round they would want someone elses organs, but my mum said that apparently they are against receiving other peoples organs, and as they are so against it would rather see their children die or bleed to death etc then let them have an organ transplant or a blood transfusion. i dont know any jehovahs witnesses personally so i dont know how accurate that this
That is true DM, because of their elieves they are totally against it. No organs no blood, let nature take it's course is what they believe. And yes even if they own child needs help they will not accept it.
From Wilk -
Jehovah’s Witnesses reject transfusions of whole blood and its primary components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma). This is due to the belief that blood is sacred and represents life in God’s eyes. Jehovah’s Witnesses understand scriptures such as Leviticus 17:10-14 (which speaks of not partaking in any blood) to include taking blood into the body via a transfusion.[35] Controversy has stemmed, however, from what critics state are inconsistencies in Witness policies on blood.
My mum has a friend who is a Witness and whilst I respect that she has her religion I could not watch my child die because of my beliefs that somebody long ago supposedly said it was a sin to accept somebody else's organs or blood.
I know this is going off topic but the JWs should realise that its fine if they wish to not accept a life saving blood transfusion that is their choice but if their choice affects others then that is WRONG and no matter what God you belive in I think that it is a Sin to deny others the chance of life because of your religious views. I have VERY strong political beliefs but I dont care who gets my organs when i kick the bucket. They can be Arab, Jew, Catholic, Moslem, Atheist, Dissenter,Black, white yellow or pink, Gay or straight just as long as they need my organs thats all that matter
I'm with Siobhan on this in that its a personal choice. But when you're six foot under or scattered on Brighton beach, what does it matter? My only concern would be the extra load on the NHS. We can hardly cope already (not that money should ever be equated against life).
As for JW, I think they are taking the scriptures too literally. I'm sure God demands sacrifice but not in the literal sense.
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