Categories: uncategorized
Tags: organ donation
Date: 17 November 2008 20:19:46
The issue of “presumed consent” for organ donation has been in the news. Basically what this means is that instead of having a policy so that people have to sign up to agree that their organs can be used after their death, there will be an opt-out policy. It will be assumed that if you do not say otherwise your organs will be available for donation.
Now, I don't see what the big deal is. I know for some people there will be religious arguments, whether they are a Jehovah's Witness of whatever, and that's fine. They can have their little card saying they want to be kept fully intact after their death. However, I think there are a lot of people who just haven't thought about it too much. They don't like the idea of being chopped up, but the reality is that they are dead. It doesn't really matter.
However, for those 6000 people who are on the organ donation list presumed consent could make an enormous difference. If the rate of available organs is increased then more people will live. Surely, that has to be a good thing. If an individual is too lazy to opt out of a scheme then why should those on the waiting list suffer. Maybe I am being naïve, or maybe I am just being logical.
Quite frankly when I am dead they can take what they like. I see it as recycling and to be honest I am happy to be as environmentally friendly as possible. However, if they could implant my heart into a natural blonde who is a size 10 then I might finally get my (dying) wish!