Would you want your organs to be donated when you pass away? As of now, in the US, 113,321 people are in need of an organ transplant. In India, 500,000 people die due to the lack of availability of organs for organ transplants while 150,000 people are in need of a kidney transplant with only 5,000 of them actually getting one. In the UK, there are currently around 6189 on the waiting list for an organ transplant.
In many places around the world, the opt-in organ donation system is used where the donor’s voluntary consent or their family’s consent is required for them to be considered as an organ donor. In other places, the opt-out system is in place. It considers everyone as an organ donor unless you explicitly withdraw consent. With the common issue of the shortage of organ donors along with the viability of organs and organ matching for organ donation in various countries, places such as Spain, Belgium and Wales have adopted the opt-out organ donation system which could possibly save the lives of hundreds of people.
Although many support organ donation, a majority of them do not go through with taking the time to register to become a donor. in the UK, 80% of the population are organ donation supporters but only a small percentage of 38% register to become a donor. Using the idea of utilitarianism, the opt-out system will increase the amount of organs available for people in need of organ transplants and can potentially save more lives. According to the NHS, one main obstacle that prevents many from receiving an organ transplant is the refusal of families of patients. A study by ComRes interviewed 2,055 people in the UK and only 23% of those interviewed have talked to someone about if they want to donate their organs. Encouraging people to talk to their family or close friends about this topic can reduce the chances of them prolonging their decision on organ donation until it’s too late.
Despite the benefits the opt-out system may bring, many may argue that the opt-out system is in breach of patient autonomy if people are not aware of the system as they are automatically considered as organ donors. This causes people to not have informed consent, though others argue that the system will actually increase the awareness of organ donation. More people will be educated on the topic, have an informed decision, and could withdraw consent if they do not want to donate their organs.
Currently, the opt-in system is used in the UK but the NHS will soon change the system to a “soft” opt-out organ donation system in 2020 after the passing of the Max and Keira's bill. This means that you will be considered as an organ donor if you have not expressed any objections unless your family and the people who know you the best do not give consent or can present your objection. The structure applies to everyone excluding those under 18 years old, visitors, people who have lived in the UK for less than a year before they passed away and those who are unable to understand the change in the system due to a lack in their mental capacity. I’ll pass it onto you now. What do you think of the opt-out organ donation system? Should countries using the opt-in system change to the opt-out system instead?
References:
https://www.theweek.co.uk/35635/automatic-organ-donation-the-pros-and-cons
https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/transplantation-services/organ-donation-and-transplantation/
https://unos.org/data/transplant-trends/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/aboutorgandonation.cms
https://www.comresglobal.com/wp-content/themes/comres/poll/NCPC_Dying_Matters_Data_tables.pdf
