Why Donate Organs - Articles - Zimbio

Organ donors and presumed consent

Mon, 18 Nov 2008 11:50:06 GMT

posted by SlackAlice

I don’t want to get into a debate as to the rights and wrongs of whether people should agree to donate their organs, although I am willing to state, for the record, that I support the organ donor programme. What concerns me is when government, in spite of advice to the contrary, determines that it knows best.

The UK Organ Donation Taskforce have stated that they do not believe that ‘presumed consent’ would boost organ donation rates. In fact chair of the taskforce, Elisabeth Buggins said: “We found from recipient families and donor families that the concept of gift was very important to them and presumed consent would undermine that concept.” This was not what the government wanted to hear and Alan Johnson was said to be disappointed by their findings, Gordon Brown was a little more forthright. He has threatened, that if the current recruitment campaign is not successful, he would not rule our a change of the law to provide for presumed consent.

Just who the hell does Gordon Brown think he is? He has no right to determine that he knows better than 65m people. For some, the desecration of the body of a loved one would only add to the suffering and for others, they may see organ donation as a positive consequence of a tragic circumstance. Either way, the choice cannot be the governments, they do not own us, nor do they own our bodies. This is yet another example of Big Brother Britain, another way in which the state tells us who is in charge and how little control we have over our own lives.

As we all know, this government cannot be trusted to keep its word, whatever assurances they may provide in public regarding presumed consent, we just know the small print will provide them with the real power. For example, the government may and probably will state that relatives must be able to provide demonstrable proof that a loved one did not want their organs to be donated, otherwise presumed consent would apply. If they don’t do this, then there is a very real possibility that the government will have to defend thousands of legal actions from relatives that are not willing to see the bodies of their loved ones desecrated on the whim of a doctor.

I do not believe the answer lies with legislation. Instead, the poor organ donor rates are as a direct consequence of poor advertising and recruitment campaigns. For example, press and TV advertising, whilst expensive, does not have a call to action, it only imparts information. What is needed is a programme that creates debate, for example but not exclusively, educating children at school, not in a negative way, but in a positive, uplifting manner, because this would encourage children to discuss the issue with their parents and then families can determine how they feel about this emotive issue.

Once governments start to legislate on such emotional issues, there will be a backlash, the negative connotations surrounding of organ donor-ship will come to the fore, people will resist and the programme will fail miserably. I can tell you for nothing, that if the government bring in presumed consent, then I will personally opt out, because I will not be dictated to by a government that is so willing to disregard my right to choose. This is the thin edge of the wedge, it really is, what is to stop the government to determine that we must all, for example give blood? Giving blood is an excellent and commendable contribution made by individuals but it is voluntary, there is also a shortage of blood, what is to stop the government from introducing legislation requiring everyone to donate blood, for example, twice a year? Answer, nothing.

As I stated at the outset, this has nothing to do with whether or not organ donation is a good or a bad thing, it is about our right to choose. No government should introduce legislation that removes that fundamental right. This government has consistently driven through legislation that has eroded, removed or virtually destroyed our civil liberties, our freedoms and our right to privacy and they have been allowed to do so, by an incapable opposition party and complacent people. Bouyed by this, the government now threatens to demonstrate how we have all sleep walked into Big Brother Britain, by introducing legislation that will confirm, that not only does the government control everything we do, say, think and write in life, they now control our bodies after death.

Organ Donation Awareness

Tue, 18 Jul 2007 18:12:00 GMT

posted by morgan9405

Since 1995 I have carried an organ donation card in my wallet. In the
event that I die, it legally gives doctors permission to use my organs. All of them except my eyes.

I know that by donating organs, a person can give another "The gift of Life." But there are cases in which donated organs do not save lives due to some of the complications involved.

I could list the number of people waiting for donations.
I could write about why people should donate.
I could talk about why people in opposition should change their view.
But none of that serves to help the problem at hand.

Lack of Awareness.

Lack of people willing to participate in the many different ways available.
Lack of people with the knowledge of how to be a potential donor.

Whether one opposes the practice or supports it.
Whether it is right or wrong.

None of that holds any weight against those in the position of actually waiting for a potential donor that may save their life. The staggering amount of people waiting for organs
speaks volumes over any persons opinion of the controversies that may surround it.

I am in support of Organ Donation and the purpose for this post it to bring attention to the need for more awareness in this particular subject.

I choose to focus on the positive aspects of being a potential donor.

I won't tell touching stories of lives that were saved through organ donations.
I won't tell people they should believe what I believe in regards to organ donation.
I won't list the number of people waiting for potential donors.
I won't list the number of people who die waiting for an organ.

My only purpose is to provide anyone who may be interested in being a potential donor information in how they can do that. The following links can provide more information about the many different ways people can sign up to be potential donors.

I'm not a doctor.
I don't understand the procedures involved.

I won't pretend I'm an authority on a subject I have no personal experience with. There are appropriate agencies equipped for that purpose. Below are several links which can provide much more information on the many aspects of what is involved in Organ Donation.

If you would like to potentially be of service to another, please take a moment to explore the many different information that is readily available on the subject through these organizations.

Donate Life Created by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services.

New York Alliance for Donation A Congressional Field Hearing on Organ and Tissue Donation: A How-To Guide ... A brief history of The Partnership for Organ Donation

Organ Donation Created by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Living Bank National Organ and Tissue donor education, awareness, and registry. Non ... Organ donation helps ease pain

Organ Donation Anatomy Gifts Registry was established to serve as an organization that provides a cost-free whole body donation option while benefiting mankind by helping to progress medical science and education.

International Society for Organ Preservation The Society is dedicated to the advancement of the science and technique of organ preservation for transplantation, the dissemination of knowledge related to the fields of organ preservation and transplantation, and increasing public awareness of the benefits of organ donation.

Organ & Tissue Donation - Organ Donation Facts Find answers to commonly held myths about donation, read about the positive views of donation held by major religions, and discover the differences between non-living and living donation. Also, read about the diverse nature of the New York metropolitan area and how it impacts donation.