Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Right now, organ donation is opt-in. Should it be changed to an opt-out format? Everyone donates their organs unless they check the box on their license and/or submit some sort of form/documentation.

Pro- We'd have a lot more organ donations, saving a lot more lives

Con- Government over-reach. People who didn't realize, might inadvertently donate when they didn't want to

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

No. Although I believe in it 100% this is one of those things that needs to be opted in.

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Although I believe in it and I'm an organ donor, I don't think it should be mandatory. You would need an entire organization to handle the opt-outs. I do believe that more has to be done to save lives though.

My 2 cents: I think selling your organs should be allowed. People think it's unfair to allow rich people to buy organs from living people because people that can't afford to buy them have a disadvantage. From my perspective, it has advantages for everyone. Let's say I am willing to sell one of my kidneys or a piece of my liver for $100k. I save a rich persons life. They are no longer on the transplant list, therefore moving the people that can't afford to buy a kidney up a spot for donor kidneys. So then the waiting lists aren't as long.

As far as black market body part sales, I think they would decline because that's what usually happens when something that was illegal is made legal. IDK it makes sense in my mind lol. I'd be first on the list to help someone and make some $ too.

Message edited 5/23/2016 1:03:57 PM.

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Yes I believe this wholeheartedly. Studies have proven that most people are willing to donate their organs, but many have neglected to register to be a donor. Well-intended people just forget, think they have time to put it off, yet most donors unfortunately pass under sudden and tragic circumstances. Time is of the essence when harvesting organs. Doctors and medical staff are reluctant to approach grieving families, families are in such a state of shock that making such a decision doesn't come easily...I think people who truly oppose donating their organs would be more likely to conciously opt-out than those who who are willing to donate would opt-in.

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Arent organ donations also used for research purposes? When my dad passed, the hospital told us this and we declined to donate.

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

No, personal decision. Our bodies and what we do with them are up to us, not the medical community or the US Dept. of Health
I'm a registered donor. DH doesn't believe in going to the grave "chopped up".

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

I do not think the government should mandate what happens to someones organs when they pass. There are religious reasons, personal reasons, medical reasons, etc.

I am an organ donor but I completely understand why some people choose not to.

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

no, its my choices, and while its a beautiful act, I don't believe in it

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

I like the option to decline. I thought I was registered only to find out I did it wrong and wasn't. I want my organs donated but not by body, that creeps me out thinking I would be in a body exhibit somewhere. Take all my organs and cremate my body, dh and I on the same page. I either want to be turned into a tree or become fish food.

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

I think by opting out you would have more people donate. I think there are people who would donate that don't even know how.

My uncle was given a longer life due to organ donation. He was able to see his kids grow up. I have signed up to donate and they can take whatever is needed!

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

No

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

I think some of you are missing the point. Not that everyone should have to do it but it would be an automatic thing UNLESS you designate otherwise. So you would all still have the option not to do it, no one would be forcing you into it.

I think it should be like that. I think with the organ waiting lists being as long as they are, it would greatly help. I think many people don't realize that they have to choose to be one and we are losing out on many potential organ donations. Personally I don't see why you wouldn't want to donate them. What good is your heart, liver, lungs etc. going to do you when you're six feet under? But to each their own I guess.

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

there is no point being missed. basically you are allowing the gov't to control what should happen to your organs when you pass, unless you remember to opt out.

I am not an organ donor, and i would want my children to decide on their own whether or not they want to donate as well. if my child was born and died a day later, why should the govt now force me to bury my child with no choice but to have their organs removed. now if my child died a day later and they asked me, its something i would have to think about, but for them to say, sorry its mandatory unless you opt out is wrong on so many different levels, plus there are religions that do not allow organ donation.

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

I am an organ donor and wish more people Did it.

That being said, I would NEVER support an opt out clause. The reason is it essentially gives the right of your body to the govt until you take an action. By default, it's theirs until you say otherwise. I could never support this on principle.

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

No way!!!!! should NOT be mandatory. This is getting so ridiculous

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

I think the opt-out feature is a nice IDEA, but I don't think it would ever work.

I am a donor. I don't judge those who aren't...I just see NO reason why I need things once I'm gone that could keep others alive.

I do question....if opt-out was always the "norm"...from the beginning of organ donation...would things be different? Would less people feel it was being forced if that was the norm from the start? I wonder.

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Re: Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

Should organ donation be mandatory with the option to decline?

I don't think it's a completely bad idea. Unless it's for religious reasons, I don't think there's any good reason not to donate. I can understand not wanting to be used for research though.