So, are you on the register?

The Hon. Member for Ribble South, David Borrow MP, is currently introducing a Bill to Parliament under the Ten Minute Rule, which if passed (which is unlikely) would see the system of donation change from a voluntary opt-in to a system where you have to actively choose whether to opt-in or out ("mandated choice").

So, where do you stand on organ donation, and should it be opt-out rather than opt-in?

One of the biggest problems is that the next of kin still have to give permission for donation. I'm not sure that an opt-out help all that much, but agree with the principle.

I've had my donor card since way before it became cool to have one, but that was my choice.

This is a tricky one... if one of my kids needed a "spare part" and a suitable would be donor were found, but then it was discovered that the person wasn't a registered donor, I wouldn't be too pleased, but can we really have a system that more or less forces people to be donors, unless they specifically say no?

It's a toughie...

I don't see why it shouldn't be opt-out.

I've been carrying a donor card since 1986, when I got my driving licence.

Not really. You either do or you don't. *shrug*

Mark

& there was me thinking someone was giving away a keyboard

Err, can we have your liver?

(I've opted in)

I am on the register. The only part I didn't used to include was "eyes", because they are so personal, but then I stopped being a cock and added them as well. I won't need them by then.

It shouldn't be compulsory to donate organs of course as there are many reasons why someone genuinely might not wish to do so, but at the moment we are relying on people getting of their fat arrrses and taking the time to register, whereas the other way around, only the organs of those who choose to opt out would be "wasted".

I think that to be kind to those who are still too lazy to opt out, there could perhaps be additional rules written in that those who, for example, could be proven to be serious members of various religions would be ruled out, but that would still be when there are objections from the family. It doesn't make sense for everyone to go running around like idiots trying to prove that someone would NOT have wished to donate when a: they haven't opted out and b: no-one is around to object.

As someone who is registered. it should be opt-in IMO. It is down to the individual to decide whether their organs should be available for donation not anyone else's.

Before I was not against the idea of it being opt-out (almost for it) but I got a letter the other day saying that unless I opt out, my medical records will be uploaded on to some huge database. I am opting out of that and that has changed my views.

Mandated choice on the face of it seems an OK way to decide. What happens if you do not reply to the question? Do you get put on the register or not?

I don't have a card or anything - but I don't think they issue them anymore???

When I applied for my Drivers License it asked me if I wanted to donate my organs. I ticked yes, so I assume that means if (when) I die my insides will be put to use somewhere if they are needed.

It should be opt-in. I just wish there was some way of agreeing on who doesn't actually deserve to get organs

I agree, but I think the point is, that most people, currently, haven't opted-in, as opposed to actively being against it and have opted out.

Maybe making them think about it would be useful and forcing them to make a decision... Like a check box on their driving licence application, for example, for new drivers and it being a routine medical question at their next doctors appointment for the rest?

Those that are opt-in can automatically have their organs harvested at death. Those that are opt-out won't have the body desecrated. The next of kin of those who haven't decided one way or the other will have to make the decision.

Most surveys taken find around 95% of people who were asked agree that organ donation is a good thing and would opt in. However, only around 5% have actually registered as a donor.

I am a registered donor.

@Nick, the card is normally part of the leaflet thing to register through the post and I think if you register online you will get sent one. But you don't need to be holding one in order to be a donor. As long as you have registered then that's all that is checked.

Also, contrary to popular belief. No doctor or nurse or surgeon who is trying to save your life will ever know (or not) that you are a registered donor. It is only once pronounced dead that your details are then checked and your validity for transplant to someone on the waiting list is checked only if you are a registered donor.

On the register for eons...... use the lot (if it's fit that is....) cos I won't need it and the wife doesn't want a 6' long box cluttering up the study (apparently).

Ironically, even if they use 50% of the bits, it still costs you the same to cremate the remainder (I checked) There should be an incentive/discount

Al