Slightly off topic - Whats the Big Deal about Organ Donation?

One person in the United Kingdom dies every day due to not receiving an organ transplant in time. This is a plea. Not only for your hearts, but for your kidneys, livers, corneas and anything else you are willing to donate.


There are over 7,500 patients within the United Kingdom that are waiting for organ transplant. However, the scheme currently working in the UK means that if a person dies, their organs cannot be used, unless they are signed up to the Organ Donation Register.

In a recent survey, of 2000 people by the BMA’s Medical Ethics Committee, just over a quarter were registered organ donators. Yet, nearly two thirds of people questioned agreed that they would be willing to donate their organs after their death.

The “Opt-Out” scheme, which is currently under review, has come under fire by some individuals claiming that they do not wish for, “the state to own their body” or due to religious beliefs. The scheme is, initially, exactly what it says on the tin. People wishing for their organs not to be used after their death can “Opt-Out” by simply signing a piece of paper. Those who do not “Opt-Out” are ultimately giving presumed consent for the use of their organs after their death. It’s simple.

The “Opt-Out” transplant system has been introduced in many European countries, including Spain where the transplant rate is three times higher than in the UK. Their “soft” presumed consent system is encouraged by the UK Government as it takes into account the wishes of the relatives before an organ donation is made. However, in Austria a “hard” presumed consent is enforced and relatives are not consulted before organ donation of the deceased.

With the number of people needing a transplant rising by 8% each year, it is essential that the government enforces the presumed consent system, if not compulsory donation after ones death.

Those objecting to the presumed consent system due to their lack of trust in the NHS and medical systems should understand that; if those thousands waiting for an organ transplant received what they are entitled to, a life, the NHS would save £150million a year. If saving a life is not a good enough reason to donate organs, then saving millions of pounds a year, which could be used on improving the NHS, must be an adequate motive.

Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, is now insisting that every secondary school pupil is educated and encouraged into donating their organs after their death. A free, “Give and Let Live” pack has been sent to secondary schools across the country, aimed at 14 to 16year olds, to inform them of the affects of blood, organ and tissue donation and how they can get involved. In my opinion, all students should also be educated on living donations where pieces of your liver, lungs or kidneys can be used to save a life.

The subject of organ donation can turn into one of those conversations at the pub, “Would you give me your kidney, if I needed it?” Of course, whether the entire truth was told is another story, everyone would automatically agree because when it’s personal it’s a lot easier to relate. To me, organ donation is seen as an act of altruism, however in this day and age, I feel it should be compulsory and seen as normality.