Reply #130: Right, because we are an informed consent country. [View All]

[Gormy Cuss]

The Federal laws presume that the without a directive from the individual that certain family members are able to act as proxies for communicating the person's wishes. I believe that even a minor's wish to become an organ donor is honored if the box was checked on the driver's license form (that wasn't the case a few years ago.)

It's ironic that improved transplantation techniques are the major reason for the organ shortage. Lowered traffic death rates contribute too. Even in countries with presumed consent laws there's a shortfall. Xenotransplantation is one technique that may close the gap, as is development of synthetic organs and tissues.