Do you think donating human organs for transplant should be mandatory - provided

1. 81

   KsenijaZposted 7 years ago

   Do you think donating human organs for transplant should be mandatory - provided by the law?
   
   We all know that organ donation is a noble thing and can save lives. But should it be mandatory by the law?
   
   

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2. 94

   lisavollrathposted 7 years ago

   No. There are some religions and cultures that do not believe in organ donation, and there are some people who just cannot stomach the thought of their loved ones being cut apart after death. Their wishes should be respected.
   
   I do think it should be easier for people to indicate their wishes, assuming they have no advanced directive on file. I've lived in a lot of different places, and some of them have allowed organ donation simply by checking a box on your driver's license. I have "I am an organ donor" typed into the In Case of Emergency section of my phone, which can be accessed even if the phone is password protected.
   
   I also think this is a conversation everyone should have with their family. If you wish to be a donor, fill out an advanced directive, and give it to whoever will be the executor of your will, and with your emergency contacts. I have no family left to make these decisions for me, so the last time I had surgery, I had the conversation in the car, on the way to the hospital, with the friend I'd chosen to be my executor. I made my wishes very clear to her, and I trust that she would carry those wishes out if something happened to me.

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   1. 81

      KsenijaZposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I so agree with you! Thank you, Lisa, for your thorough answer!
      It is preparing a law in our country - they want to make it mandatory, it feels a bit creepy. Thank you again!

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3. 80

   dashingscorpioposted 7 years ago

   
   
   No it shouldn't be mandatory to donate organs.
   Owning your own body is the ultimate freedom.
   However I am in favor paying people a reasonable amount to give their organs. Our current {nothing for something} policy isn't working well. There are shortages of organs and long lines.
   Hospitals earn money, physicians/surgeons/nurses earn money and the person receiving the organ gets an improved quality of extended life!
   Why should the organ donor be left with only "nobility"?
   Offer people $35k or $40k for a kidney and I bet you'll see more volunteers. If we paid people $5 or $10 for a pint of blood our blood reserves would go up too! That's lunch money for some.
   There has to be "something" in it for the donor or their family!

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   1. 81

      KsenijaZposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      True. It should be like that - legally. The problem is that people (poor) are paid for organs on the black market - this should be somehow regulated, to avoid illegal organ traffic. Well for blood donor - 'only' the nobility is fine with me (you get

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4. 67

   ptosisposted 7 years ago

   The confusion is that it is not mandatory, all that was changed in certain countries was the driver's license was checked automatically but you have to uncheck to refuse giving donation

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5. 60

   jordancoxxposted 2 months ago

   The question of whether organ donation should be mandatory by law is a complex ethical and societal issue with varying opinions. While the idea of saving lives through organ donation is universally appreciated, making it mandatory raises concerns related to personal autonomy, bodily integrity, and individual rights.
   
   Arguments in favor of mandatory organ donation often emphasize the potential to save more lives, reduce organ shortages, and address the growing demand for transplantable organs. Proponents may argue that such a policy could help overcome the disparity between the supply and demand for organs, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
   
   On the other hand, opponents of mandatory organ donation emphasize the importance of individual autonomy and the right to make decisions about one's own body. They argue that forcing individuals to donate organs infringes on personal freedoms and bodily autonomy, which are fundamental principles in many legal and ethical frameworks.
   
   A middle-ground approach involves promoting and incentivizing voluntary organ donation through education, awareness campaigns, and perhaps financial incentives. Many countries and regions already have opt-out or presumed consent systems, where individuals are considered potential organ donors by default unless they explicitly choose to opt-out. This approach aims to increase organ donation rates while respecting individual autonomy.
   
   Ultimately, the question of whether organ donation should be mandatory is a matter of societal values, ethics, and individual rights. Public opinion, cultural norms, and legal frameworks differ across regions, leading to diverse approaches to organ donation policies globally. Answer copied from https://sassastatusportal.co.za/

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6. 93

   Nathanvilleposted 2 months ago

   Good question.  Personally, I don’t have any strong feelings either way, as I can see both sides of the argument.  However, I did look up on the NHS website to see what the current laws are in my country (the UK); and it seems to be well balanced, as follows:
   
   New laws passed in the UK on 20th May 2020 are now for an ‘opt out’ system for adults over the age of 18 e.g. you are assumed to consent unless you ‘opt out’ on the NHS ‘Organ Donor Register’; equally, you can ‘opt-in’ on their ‘Organ Donor Register’ to make your wishes clearer.
   
   However, even under the new laws, the NHS will not automatically take your organs if I don't opt out, they will always consult your family before donation takes place; so it is important that your family and friends know your choice, as it makes it easier for them to honour your choice, whatever that choice is.  And your faith and beliefs will also always be taken into consideration before organ donation goes ahead.
   
   In fact, reading up on the subject on Wikipedia, I can’t find any real evidence of organ donation being mandatory anywhere in the world e.g. countries using the ‘opt out’ system still seek consent from family (legal next of kin).
   
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation

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7. 60

   Willowarborposted 2 months ago

   If a government can force a woman to use her own body to see an embryo to birth, essentially saving its life, then how is forcing organ donation any different?  It is the use of one individuals body to keep alive another individuals body. 
   
   It's quite a contrast here in America that certain states force women  to give birth but that same woman would not be compelled by law to give the baby she just delivered a life-saving blood transfusion.

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