| Organ donation - "Opt-in" or "Opt-out"?
Posted: 11/2/2009 6:29:02 PM | Organ donation - "Opt-in" or "Opt-out"?
Currently we have an "opt-in" system for organ donation, where the deceased person must have previously declared that they wished for their organs to be donated.
If you die without having authorized donation of your organs they will not be harvested.
The "opt-out" system which some groups are lobbying for, would automatically assume the deceased wanted to donate their organs. If no record exists the deceased has not intentionally declared their organs are not to be harvested following their demise, then it will be presumed they are willing donors.
I can see how an opt-out system would better serve those many people who wait for organs, they often perishing before a suitable organ comes available.
I can also see how an opt-out system might be abused, including organs being harvested and transplanted, and then only later finding records the deceased had opted out.
Do you support a "Opt-in" or "Opt-out" registry for organ donation? | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 6:36:00 PM | Interesting, I have thought about this previously. I suppose both systems have their up and down side, but what I would like to see is a way of having that representation, either way. I don't like the idea that you have spoken without giving your word as to what your preferences are. It sounds a little like buyer beware 
I would like to see something built into one of our other systems where you were presented with the choice and it was compulsory to make one. It does not seem fair to 'not vote' so to speak on this issue. An answer is needed and should be respected. But someway of compelling an answer perhaps? | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 6:39:51 PM | | depends who you ask i guess. Since I don't see the big deal, i mean if you're dead you're dead, I'm fine with the opt-out option. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 6:41:51 PM | I just heard about this on BCTV News tonight. It is called presumed consent. In many countries in Europe, you must opt out or you are in.
It is cost effective because things like kidney dialysis are costly and it is cheaper to transplant a kidney than have a person on dialysis for a long time.
I opted in years ago. I find the proposal a little amusing because I know some people would not appreciate be automatically opted in even though it is the right thing to do. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 6:42:34 PM | I'm absolutely against an opt-out system. Protection of your person is the most basic of all rights and we should never, ever set precedents which suggest any organization (least of all one connected to the government) is entitled to our bodies in any way. There are just so many ways that can go bad it's frightening. It's not really much different in principle from the way the Chinese government harvests the organs of executed prisoners.
However, I have no problem with forcing people to give a definitive Yes or No answer to the question as part of the driver licensing routine. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 6:58:36 PM | I too oppose the opt-out system.
I agree with Gourmand and Traveller, compelling people to declare one choice or another is an excellent idea. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 7:14:14 PM | I oppose the opt-out system.
Just because the person never wrote it down that they didn't want their organs harvested doesn't implicitly mean they DID. To assume that the individual would be willing to donate their organs upon their death is.. pretty ballsy. These are our bodies and we have the right to decide whether or not we donate.
Personally? When/if (I still believe they will find the cure for death in my lifetime; let me hold onto that dream please) I die, I have no more use for the organs so rather then having them rot in the ground, I would be more than happy to share them with someone who needs them. It would be, in a sense, a means of living longer. I wonder how many times organs can be donated?
But, if someone has not specifically said either way, you should not make that judgement for them after they are dead. Not even the family should. You may THINK gramma wanted to give her corneas to someone in need, but maybe she secretly believed that you'd be giving away her soul if you did that (windows to the soul and all that). Who knows? She's dead, why make the assumption?
I do think everyone should be an organ donor; it's not like you'll need them after death. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 7:17:55 PM | North Americans have trouble with presumed consent. We like to feel in control but we still have the right to opt-out with presumed consent. Apparently, one to two percent of Europeans opt-out. I prefer to refer to call it presumed consent because it is easier to understand in these terms for me.
I understand that I have been opting in for years while others have been opting out with the current system we have in North America. Opting in and out coexist. If you have presumed consent, your only choice is to opt out.
For years, I put the sticker on my drivers license saying that I would donate my organs if I were to die. The problem with this they say is next of kin do not check your driver's license when you die. I don't think they have stickers anymore. I seem to remember registering with the transplant society. I opted to give my organs to someone in need but not for scientific research.
I am not sure how I really feel about presumed consent. I think we would adjust to it quickly if it were to come in.
I do know with all my heart that people should seriously consider become organ donors in the event of an untimely death. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 7:23:09 PM | As someone who lost a spouse due to the stupidity of the current organ donor system, I'm obviously biased. Absolutely - unless otherwise documented - donor. If you ride a motorcycle - donor. Unless you have some specific religious affiliation that says you have to keep all your original parts - donor.
Knowing what the numbers are like on the waiting lists and the procedures for actually getting a transplant, I feel like slapping people that say "Oh, I haven't filled in that thingy yet."
Having seen brain death and the process involved in the harvesting, there's no way I'd ever be concerned about someone pulling the plug early. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 7:32:10 PM | I think it should not be so confusing and ridden with Double Speak.
as for it being a matter of the person is deseased...so what?....well...
I know someone who had a major brain injury due to a fall and was pronounced brain dead at the age of 21. The 'body snatchers' were begging his parents who were his next of kin to let them harvest his very healthy, atlethic body... he was a ruby player and snowboarder.
his Dad said sure...his Mom said no...and you know what?... he came out of the coma 4 months later... was in rehab for a year...learned how to speak, eat, walk and is almost totally recovered now. He can not drive, due to the brain injury from the fall...his vision is impaired.
so... as for permission is taken for granted unless you otherwise specify... I don't like that.
perhaps a more vigorous campaign to get pple to sign donor cards would be best.... I know way back when that when you got your driver's license renewed you could sign a donor card then...so why can't we approach pple that way again?...and encourage them to take home a self-addressed return donor applications for other members of their family.
I think this is a very suspicious approach. I don't like it.
and yes, I have signed my organ donor card long time ago... I am also on the Bone Marrow Registry.. .an a Platelet Donor. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 7:56:35 PM | Speaking only for myself, I have discussed this with both of my son, if my untimely death can save someone else`s life or enrich a young persons life what harm would it do me, as they are my next of kin they both know I would donate any part of my body that could be used.
I have never asked them about their wishes, they both have partners and I feel that is something they would discuss with their partners.
I don`t agree with the opting out ... so many people procrastinate or forget or just don`t care enough to take care of these things, you can`t just assume that means they want to donate their organs. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 8:16:00 PM |
I find the proposal a little amusing because I know some people would not appreciate be automatically opted in even though it is the right thing to do
Nothing Amusing to Me!
what else should we be automatically signed up for without our consent?
I think the govt is presuming a bit much. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 8:31:39 PM | hmmmmmmmmmmmmm --- well, the government has not actually signed us up for anything that I am aware of, but there are taxes, taxes, taxes and more taxes.
Like I have said, I am not really sure how I feel about presumed consent. I guess I am not 100 per cent comfortable with it, but I believe some people are absolutely freaked out by the entire notion of this and some are frightened by organ transplantation. However, when you have lost someone to organ failure, you feel differently about organs and the entire subject.
I would like to see British Columbians become more aware of the shortage of organs and the tragic consequences. I would like to see each of us forced to consent or not consent.
Whatever is place now is lacking consequence. We need something stronger. It is okay to opt out or in, but everyone should have this discussion with their loved ones.
Personally, I have always been in. I never really liked telling my family that I was in, but felt it was important enough to do so. It felt "creepy" but the reality is we are all going to die.
I guess what I find amusing is how screamish people are about this entire topic. I have immense respect for all the people who have opted in.
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/2/2009 8:39:23 PM | | I opted in many years ago. I would support the auto-opt-in clause unless the person has specifically opted out so long as there is a highly-visible and widespread campaign to educate the public about the clause so they know that it's up to them to say 'no' if 'no' is their preference. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 12:24:21 AM | I am totally against the Opt-out position.
History and the news are full of human errors. There are many people on death row who were wrongly convicted, medical diagnoses which are incorrect, people barred from travelling because they are mistakenly placed on terrorist lists, the common occurance of "friendly fire" in war zones, and on and on it goes. There are also diseases like Cataplexy which have people incorrectly pronounced dead. Add to this the desperation and greed which surrounds the organ donor issue and an Opt-out system and you guarantee that there will be people who are not truly dead having there organs harvested.
I would never trust anyone to decide without my unambiguous consent that my organs be harvested. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 12:43:06 AM | The way I look at it if I'm brain dead take it all . Will save me and my estate and family money to dispose of my corpse . What can I say I'm blunt and if you don't like it to bad so sad . Give you a tissue for you issue or a box if you have a whole lot .
signed the composted BCbogbear  | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 1:05:50 AM | You know, I think the BEST way to let others know you're an organ donor is to tattoo it.
I've seen tattoos (nice ones, too) on people who are diabetics so as to alert medical professionals should anything go wrong with them (hypoglycemia etc). I think having a tattoo stating you're an organ donor would be a great way to make certain your wishes are known. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 3:41:57 AM | ^^^I was just discussing the substitution of a tattoo instead of a medical I.D. bracelet with someone recently, but some medical conditions can improve or be completely cured, which would then leave you with a tat that you would have to get removed immediately. Otherwise, in an emergency situation, you could be treated for a condition you no longer have which could have detrimental results.
I like the idea of having an 'organ donor' tattoo but are you expecting this to be a service funded by the government/medical services plan or is each individual responsible for paying for their own tattoo? Will the public health dept. have to hire tattoo artists for this purpose? And what if you change your mind about being an organ donor or switch to a religion (through marriage or choice) that doesn't allow organs to be removed from the deceased? Again, one would have to pay for removal of the tattoo.
There will obviously have to be a standard location on the body & a standard design for an 'organ donor' tattoo so medical staff will be able to locate it easily without having to do a full body search. But what if you already have a tattoo in that exact location? Also to keep the design identical, maybe they should just come up with factory issue branding irons with the "Organ Donor" design on them & have us all line up like cattle to be branded.
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 7:49:47 AM | | Tattoos would be a great idea if you could get them inked on your forehead. Anywhere else and there's a likelihood they could be torn off along with your arm or leg in an accident, and then what? Microchip implant? | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 8:06:22 AM | For myself … I choose to opt out of giving or receiving any organs. I will deal with the ones I have till (probably) the weakest one gives out. Then I will leave this lifetime behind me … hehehehe … I will only come back if this darn planet get more loving and peaceful.
I decided to share about organ transplants. … Because …
Have you watched you tube video about “transplanting memories”??
It is worth watching and considering memory transplants from the donors.
It covers heart transplants only and how the recipient gets strong urges to be like the donor. I wonder if the same type of memory transfer occurs with other organs?
Have an awesome day
Love, Light and Peace always … in all ways | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 9:16:28 AM | I'm an organ donor, but I oppose the opt out system.
The idea of automantic consent of anything - ie. utility services, insurance coverage, organ donation, etc... is repellant to me. Nobody should be roped into anything by default. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 11:26:33 AM | Last night I caught part of a TV news broadcast in which Ruby Harrison, one of the proponents for the opt-out system, said something preposterous.
Her daughter died of an infection after finally getting an organ transplant and I certainly empathize with her and feel sorry for her loss, but I very much disagree with her statement.
Unfortunately I don't have the exact words she said, but it was to the effect that most people would know that they are agreeing to be organ donors, even if they haven't said so.
I can see how her attitude may harm her cause. | |
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| Organ donation - Opt-in or Opt-out?
Posted: 11/3/2009 12:41:30 PM |
It covers heart transplants only and how the recipient gets strong urges to be like the donor. I wonder if the same type of memory transfer occurs with other organs?
I've heard about this before, where the recipient of the organ had so many thoughts, emotions & memories flooding them that weren't theirs. It was so overwhelming that they made efforts to contact the deceased person's family to ask about their life before death, in order to better understand what they were feeling. I'm guessing if someone was brain dead & could receive the brain of another person, that would make life quite interesting for the family of the person receiving the new brain. There might be some wonderful memories & skills there but also some that might be a nightmare to live with. Scary yet fascinating!
I had listed my organs down for both transplant & medical research. Then I met a friend's b/f who was in med school & heard all the nutty stories about all the gags that medical students pull using donated bodies & body parts. Decided nah, I don't want my parts disrespected even after I bugger off & leave my body behind so I will donate them for transplant only. However, my guess is that when my body rolls in & they see that I'm an organ donor, they'll just laugh their azzes off at the ridiculousness of me thinking that someone would actually want my worn & rusty innards. 
I can see the logic of establishing automatic consent of organ donation, due to so many people not having bothered to make this decision & not taking this dire need seriously. However, I don't like the idea of an organization or governmental body making decisions about my body & possibly being able to overrule my family's feelings about this. | |
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