Everyone 'should donate organs' (BBC article)

[TechBear_Seattle]

Does the British government read DU? This was the subject of a rather heated thread only yesterday (Read it here.)

Everyone 'should donate organs'

Everyone should be seen as a potential organ donor on their death unless they expressly request not to be, England's chief medical officer says.

Sir Liam Donaldson calls for a system of "presumed consent" to be introduced to tackle chronic shortages of organs.

One person dies each day after failing to find a suitable donor, Department of Health figures suggest.

But scrapping a system under which people must clearly state their wish to be a donor will prove controversial.

The article continues at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6902519.stm

[The2ndWheel]

1. Everyone should be increasingly watched in Britain too

Controversial or not, it becomes normal after a period of time.

This whole thing is trying to find itself. It takes time, but it slowly comes together. Once it can watch you all the time, know what you buy, know what you think, know where you are, use your organs for its survival, and just generally exert control over any aspect of life, then it will be alive.

[EstimatedProphet]

2. I can't

I carry hepatitis. No organ donations or blood donations. And it really pisses me off that some of these people lay a guilt trip on those of us who can't donate.

[cyborg_jim]

4. Who would lay a guilt trip on those who can't donate?

The issue here is that most people do not opt-in irrespective of their ability or willingness to donate and because the needs to society of organ donation are so great it would be better if those who feel strongly about not having their organs donated would instead specifically opt-out.

[EstimatedProphet]

6. You would be amazed how evangelical people can get about things like blood donation

I agree that having people donate organs, blood, etc. is a good thing, and needs to be done more often. I do also think that automatic assumption of donorship upon death leads to problems of its own.

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. Do tell

As a gay man, I am forbidden by law from donating blood. I can't tell you how often I've had friends, family and co-workers belittle me because I refuse to lie on the pre-donation questionaire. :eyes:

[whistle]

3. Always remember "Live Organ Transplants"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tmLvzubP3I

[havocmom]

5. Used to think so

Changed my mind after 5 people I knew were in accidents and the doctors wanted to pull the plugs then pull the organs. All five were young and very healthy. Three out of the five had really persistent advocates who hung in there, oversaw treatment and rehabilitation. They are living happy, productive lives, after time, therapy, and hard work. These are people the medical establishment wanted in the morgue with parts missing.

Conversely, several older, frailer people (but people with enough $ to have really good insurance coverage) I knew had doctors fighting to convince family NOT to pull the plug. Medical establishment wanted to keep trying so long as somebody with deep pockets was handy. Guess those old, worn out organs have little value other than keeping accounts payable busy with billing?

If care were actually fair and just, I would go back to advocating for organ donors. Have seen enough cases where care seemed to be based on salvageable parts to be harvested v financial resources to be harvested.

I revoked my donor status. One too many questionable cases in just my circle of acquaintances.

[OlderButWiser]

7. maybe that happened because

of the shortage of transplants currently available. If more were available they might not have been after those friends of yours.

[havocmom]

8. Yeah, and in a hospital world renowned for its transplant success.

Fact remains, they were more interested in harvesting organs from very fit people than giving them health care. Three out of five are alive and productive 10-20 years after the doctors said they were hopeless and wanted the vents turned off so they could harvest organs.

So, if you are out and have no strong advocate, but you are a good match...

Sorry, there are too many problems with the judgment calls to suit me. I mean, a 60% MISS in just the people I know? Makes one wonder just what the goals are.