Organ donation opt-out system given go-ahead in Wales

[Ardemax]

A change in the law to bring in an opt-out organ donation system has been overwhelmingly voted through by Welsh assembly members.

Wales will become the first UK country to adopt a process where individuals will be presumed to have consented for their organs to be donated unless they opt out.

Ministers want to increase the number of donors for transplant.
The new presumed consent system could come into force by 2015.

Some 43 of the 60 assembly members backed the bill, eight voted against and there were two abstentions.

Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford said it was "an historic day for Wales" which had "demonstrated the huge strengths of this assembly".

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23143236#TWEET809439

In my opinion this is great news and I can't quite believe this isn't the norm across the UK.

Thoughts?

[FlyingJesus]

Makes far more sense, assuming that opting out is free and easy for those who for some reason think they're worth more than anyone else's life even after they're gone and would otherwise kick and cry about freedom

[-:Undertaker:-]

Absolutely disgraceful and operates under the presumption that you are property of the state.

I'll purposely opt out in protest if this is extended across the rest of Britain.

[FlyingJesus]

There we go

[Chippiewill]

I'll purposely opt out in protest if this is extended across the rest of Britain.

I'll use the system in the manner in which it is intended to be used if it is implemented!

[Ardemax]

Absolutely disgraceful and operates under the presumption that you are property of the state.

I'll purposely opt out in protest if this is extended across the rest of Britain.

Oh dear.

What if a lack of organs affected you or your family personally (I do not wish it to happen), would you change your mind?

It's not like it's difficult to opt out...

[FlyingJesus]

I'm going to murder people in protest of the presumption that my actions are property of the state because laws exist

[Cerys]

This means that they can take your organs for transplant etc when you die unless you opt-out, right?

I'm quite up for this idea tbh. It'll make the organ transplant waiting lists shorter and make peoples lives happier. And who knows, this could full on impact one of our lives oneday and it's a great idea!
Lets hope that England takes up this idea too :)

And I bet there will be a small proportion of people who opt-out, so who really cares xP Pretty selfish if you don't want to help out others in this way, if you ask me.

[Adam]

There we go
Even though I don't agree with his reasoning behind it, he makes a valid point. It's not up to the state to decide whether or not one is an organ donor.

That said I am an organ donor, bone marrow donor, blood donor and will donate anything I can to help.

[Ardemax]

It's not up to the state to decide whether or not one is an organ donor.

But you can opt out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM PLEASE

[Adam]

But you can opt out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM PLEASE
At what age? For 18 years your body is donated, not out of choice.

[Kardan]

I'm going to murder people in protest of the presumption that my actions are property of the state because laws exist

If you murder people in Wales, ignoring the fact you are killing people, you'll be doing a good thing wouldn't you... Giving organs to the people that need them?

---------- Post added 03-07-2013 at 07:34 PM ----------

As for the topic at hand, I can see what issues it may cause. People that are unaware of this will suffer. I can imagine a fair few people being upset to find that their dead relatives have been carved apart without their knowledge or consent, simply because they were unaware that the law changed.

Personally, I'm undecided. I'm not an organ donor now... And whether I will be after death I'd rather leave up to my family that I leave behind, and whether or not they're comfortable with it.

[Ardemax]

At what age? For 18 years your body is donated, not out of choice.

I know you're playing devil's advocate and what not, but isn't that the current system for children anyway?


If you murder people in Wales, ignoring the fact you are killing people, you'll be doing a good thing wouldn't you... Giving organs to the people that need them?

---------- Post added 03-07-2013 at 07:34 PM ----------

As for the topic at hand, I can see what issues it may cause. People that are unaware of this will suffer. I can imagine a fair few people being upset to find that their dead relatives have been carved apart without their knowledge or consent, simply because they were unaware that the law changed.

Personally, I'm undecided. I'm not an organ donor now... And whether I will be after death I'd rather leave up to my family that I leave behind, and whether or not they're comfortable with it.

If you're willing to accept an organ donation, you should be willing to donate an organ when you die (or whenever). End of.

[Kardan]

I know you're playing devil's advocate and what not, but isn't that the current system for children anyway?



If you're willing to accept an organ donation, you should be willing to donate an organ when you die (or whenever). End of.

But it's clearly not that simple, otherwise the government would just make it a law, rather than having people to opt-out of it :P

[Ardemax]

But it's clearly not that simple, otherwise the government would just make it a law, rather than having people to opt-out of it :P

Do you agree or disagree with that statement?

[FlyingJesus]

As for the topic at hand, I can see what issues it may cause. People that are unaware of this will suffer. I can imagine a fair few people being upset to find that their dead relatives have been carved apart without their knowledge or consent, simply because they were unaware that the law changed

There are all sorts of safeguards for allowing relatives to have a say in the matter supposedly

[lemons]

I think it's a great idea and will save many lives!

[GommeInc]

I can see Dan's point. It shouldn't really be for the state to decide. HOWEVER, so very few people actually opt-in to become an organ donor. So you're stuck really. You can't get the NHS sending out forms to everyone because very few people actually care about filling in a form, and you can't really harass them in the street like they did/do with "Give Blood" campaigns. In a way, the opt-out system works purely because it's the only way of getting people to motivate themselves into doing something, out of fear or anger. It's usually how these opt-in/out systems operate effectively.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Oh dear.

What if a lack of organs affected you or your family personally (I do not wish it to happen), would you change your mind?

It's not like it's difficult to opt out...

I came across a great Ron Paul quote on Facebook today that can be applied to this debate, here it is.

http://www.ezimba.com/work/130704C/ezimba11831028380200.png

I reject the use of force by the state, and it's as simple as that - even when it can sometimes benefit parts or most of society.

If we need more organs, and we do, and it's a noble cause that many of us may have to rely on in the future - then instead of the state suddenly saying "all of your organs belong automatically to the state upon death despite you not signing anything" people ought to sign up. And if enough people haven't signed up then obviously a better campaign method needs to be launched in getting people to sign up; one idea I can think of is only allowing those who are on the organ donator register (and I am currently not) first place in any transplant list... that is something that would be an acceptable way to go about it.

I ask all of those saying this is a good idea, are you all currently signed up? if not, sign yourselves up before you force me to sign up.


If you're willing to accept an organ donation, you should be willing to donate an organ when you die (or whenever). End of.

I agree.

Willing being the key word.

[Ardemax]

I came across a great Ron Paul quote on Facebook today that can be applied to this debate, here it is.

http://www.ezimba.com/work/130704C/ezimba11831028380200.png

I reject the use of force by the state, and it's as simple as that - even when it can sometimes benefit parts or most of society.

If we need more organs, and we do, and it's a noble cause that many of us may have to rely on in the future - then instead of the state suddenly saying "all of your organs belong automatically to the state upon death despite you not signing anything" people ought to sign up. And if enough people haven't signed up then obviously a better campaign method needs to be launched in getting people to sign up; one idea I can think of is only allowing those who are on the organ donator register (and I am currently not) first place in any transplant list... that is something that would be an acceptable way to go about it.

I ask all of those saying this is a good idea, are you all currently signed up? if not, sign yourselves up before you force me to sign up.



I agree.

Willing being the key word.

I don't need to be signed up ;)

But yes it is an interesting point you have raised, but going further on my final point, I truly believe that if you're unwilling to help another human through something like organ donation (opting out or not opting in), then you shouldn't receive organs at all. It's a bit like a double edged sword.

[Kardan]

Do you agree or disagree with that statement?

I'd agree, and quite frankly, I couldn't care less if my organs were removed from my body, I'll be dead :P It's my family that I'm bothered about. If FJ is correct in saying that there are safeguards, and family can overrule the decision, that's fine!

[Ardemax]

I'd agree, and quite frankly, I couldn't care less if my organs were removed from my body, I'll be dead :P It's my family that I'm bothered about. If FJ is correct in saying that there are safeguards, and family can overrule the decision, that's fine!

Fair enough :)

I can't imagine too many families having problems with this. You just have to imagine them being on the other end of something like this and suddenly they're more relaxed about the whole thing :P

[lemons]

As long as they didn't take out too many of my organs and left me with a body to be buried I'd be okay with it :)