TV Schedule

Brown Backs Automatic Organ Donation


  3. richjm
  4. related topics
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has backed a radical overhaul in the way body organs are donated in Britain.

At present, individuals have to elect to be placed on a donor register or carry a donor card in order for their organs to be used after their death. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph over the weekend, the Prime Minister gave his support to a new system, similar to Spain's, based on 'presumed consent' that automatically includes everyone unless they specifically opt out.

Brown acknowledged the topic is a sensitive one but supported his decision by saying:

"In Britain we have 14.9 million people on the organ donor register - which is around 24 per cent of the population. In terms of actual donors (not just people willing to give, but those whose organs are actually used) we have a rate of about 13 donors per million in our population. This compares with about 22 per million in France, 25 per million in America and around 35 per million in Spain - the best in the world. That is why I want to start a debate in this country about whether we should take steps to move towards a new system designed to enable far more of us to benefit from transplant surgery - one that better reflects survey findings that around 90 per cent of us are in favour of organ donation."

To me a dead body is a dead body. If parts can be recycled to help the living then they should be. What do you think?
richjm

6 responses // Brown Backs Automatic Organ Donation

  • http://current.com/items/88812012_let_them_donate
    I wouldn't say "a dead body is a dead body" but I do think that we need an overhaul of the donor system if so many people are in need. I am a donor. My niece is alive because of a donor. But some people do have religious and other reasons why they don't want their parts being put to use after they go. But I do support changing it to an opt-out system, rather than an opt-in.
    abbym0308
  • http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_dono...
    Agreed. I totally support people who choose not to donate their organs and opt out - it's their choice and their body. Lots of people who would be fine with donating don't carry a donor card or tell their family that they'd not mind if their organs were used. The opt-out system would be ideal for people like that and hopefully improve a lot of lives.

    I don't carry a donor card anymore having lost mine ages ago and I'd be fine with them taking anything they like when I'm gone. Which reminds me...I should get on to registering.

    Ok, done. Link for how to register to be a donor in the UK is below.
    richjm
  • To whom it may concern-

    I would like my organs donated, should it ever come to that.

    -Ando
    Ando_SB
  • i like this idea, assuming that donating has become less radical to most people. as long as opting out is made easy and quick, i support this 100%!
    blue_blooded
  • yeah i agree in before you die and you want to be a organ donor that they use your organs,but if not then they should just leave you alone.
    unless if you were sick and they shut down on you.
    KareuhJEAN
  • i feel bad sometimes that i will not donate my organs, as much crap as i get for it, i cannot do it, personal beliefs in a way...

    that is why i plan on donating time and money to red cross as much as i can throughout my life, kinda an offset so i can balance what i cannot do with what i can.
    AswegoAsdego

Add your response

Login/Registration is required to add a response.