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Currently in the news and a question for all of us to think seriously about.

The current set-up is that we donate organs by stating so via a card or written wishes. No such permission means no donation or a consultation with family members at a very emotional time.
  Most people are in favour of donation but have yet to get round to organising a donation card or leaving that preference with family.
As someone who has been in the position of having to make that decision for a deceased family member, I would have much prefered his wishes to have been made clear.
So; Opt-in, as it is now and continue with the long list of desperate people waiting for transplants? Or Opt-out and allow healthy organs to save lives?
Difficult one. Personally I'm in favour of the opt-out idea. That is, organs are taken unless the person in question is carrying a card which states he/she doesn't wish it.

im in the opt out camp too, i regularly ask families to consider tissue donation, (not organ as special conditions apply for that), many are really pleased that they can help someone although at the moment even if a person carries a donor card if their family object then they cannot donate. i have never had a bad reaction when asking, people have said no but noone has ever said they would rather have not been asked.

I'm in favour of the Opt-Out system as well.... I certainly will have no use for them!  :-X

I was under the notion that a donar card was a personal wish that over-ruled family wishes?
And just a thought, but if people deny use of their organs....should they be allowed the use of donated organs?
Opens up a worm can, eh?

No Ken, next of kin are asked.  My dad carried an card but when he died mum just couldn't face the thought of it and she said no.  By the time things had settled, of course it was way way to late.  In the heat of the moment, when someone dies, emotions are terribly raw, I believe it is incredibly hard for the next of kin to make that decision.  Opt out I say, we should all be donors.

I'm on the Opt Out side, definitely.  Who wants to deny somebody else the chance at life?  Not me.  You also made a good point, Ken.  Can one really refuse to donate but be ready to accept? 

OUT every time.

But them I'm slightly biased .

I had a 'none beating' transplant 6 1/2 years ago - probably would be dead by now without it.

Waited 4 years, one month & 19 days to get it though.
In Euro-land, where they opt out, the average wait is just over 9 months.

Opt out here too :) For transplant only though and not medical experiments or training.

Legally when a person dies their body becomes a 'thing' and that 'thing' belongs to the next of kin so they can do as they wish with it, that includes saying no even if in life you wished to donate.

Opt out from me.    Though my dad says they can everything except his eyes..... beacause he wants to see wher he is going ::)

I've had a donor card since they came in, also discussed it with everyone so they know my wishes, mind you, doubt if anything's any good now  ;D
opt out, deffo

Opt out definitely. When someone dies they are 100 percent "dead and gone".  The body is only a shell, it's not needed any more, but some part of it could save another person's life.

I've carried a donor card for years and I quite like the fact that when I snuff it someone could be walking round with my bits :)

i think the card should be to opt out
lbb

Peter had a donor card. I have one too. When he died so suddenly nobody asked and nothing was further from my mind so I didn't offer. If they had asked I'd probably have said yes, but if they had said they were taking him off to remove x y and z i would have found it intensely distressing. circumstances and people vary: there is no humane blanket solution and no single right way.

Quote from: grawrc on September 04, 2008, 22:48:59

When he died so suddenly nobody asked ...

It does also depend on the doctors views and whether he/she is prepared to distress the relatives even more in their difficult time.

ALSO,

You don't have to die to help another live.

BLOOD is a very precious commodity and a life saver on a daily basis.

ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY CAN SPARE A BIT. Do your bit for the human race.

I feel things should be used unless you opt out as well
I have carries a donor card for most of my adult life and am now registered online
carrting a donor card once had my handbag and money in it returned to me because my address was on it
marg

please those that have voted opt out consider joining the organ donor register and let your family know what you want dont leave it til its too late

https://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/Consent.do

I always carried a donor card but then when the Big C hit me and there's the possibility/ 65% probability that C will re-emerge because of lymph-node involvement, I was told that because of this risk I can't donate blood...this, then begged the question...are all donated tissues screened for infection (blood used not to be, with tragic results)....and, do you know, I never ever got an answer, despite giving full contact details...phone, addy, internet, whatever...and I'm still waiting. Years on, I'm still waiting and I've asked the question again recently. Still waiting...

For me, the jury's out until I have absolute assurance that all the necessary screening will be done....would I like/want to gift cancer to anyone? errrr......no, actually.

I am in the opt out camp as well but would like it taken further after they have taken all the usefull bits they then should take whats left and bung it in an incinerator and dispose of it that way.
No funeral expenses no crematorium's no blighting the landscape with land filled with headstones and rotting bodies.
The memories is all i need and hope that's all my family will want when its my turn to go save a lot of trouble and unnecessary ex pence. ;D