An important issue: organ donation

[axver]

The news this evening broadcast a story about a call to introduce an "opt out" scheme for organ donation in Australia to replace our current "opt in" system. This follows a similar proposal being put forth in the UK, and the successful implementation of such a system in Spain. The Health Minister has nonetheless ruled out an "opt out" approach

Comments

[liamtreasure]

The news this evening broadcast a story about a call to introduce an "opt out" scheme for organ donation in Australia to replace our current "opt in" system.

GOD YES!

[axver]

Yeah, but it's not happening if our short-sighted, stuck-in-the-mud Health Minister has her way. She seems to think changing the law would be just too much effort.

It's kind of disturbing that this is a marked improvement on Tony Abbott.

[spaztick]

Unfortunately, having grown up in the Bible Belt, I know far too many people who are dead set against organ donation and against cremation for the very reason you listed: that body needs to be intact for when the resurrection happens.

So... if you suffer the terrible death of burning up in a fire, are you just fucked?

[axver]

You know, I've seen threads on Christian messageboards about that very issue, and nobody oppsoed to organ donation/cremation has ever adequately responded to the "what if you die in a fire?" question. I once had to laugh at a response that those who do die in a fire will be restored - so why can't God restore those who choose to charitably donate their organs?

[cat_incarnate]

Background: This http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/donation/factfilesod_comparisons.shtml article and other stuff I remember from a while back (can be fuzzy

[axver]

'This can be bothersome for religious reasons (which, though they can be irrational, should not be completely disregarded)'

I'm willing to completely disregard those religious reasons which fly against all logic, reason, and sense and defy even the prevailing views of religious authorities. Anybody who refuses to donate for no better reason than "then I won't be able to participate in the resurrection of the dead" is a genuine idiot who worships an incompetent God. Blunt, but I stand by it.

'... or health reasons if the patient donating the organs has health complications the doctors don't know about.'

Now that's a genuine issue, but in Western countries with rigorous medical standards, I can't say I'm too worried about it. Now, no system is ever going to be perfect, but I think it's a minor problem in the most modern healthcare systems.

In impoverished countries, however - then you've got a point.

'From my knowledge, most of the organs that are useful for donation are from people who don't die from natural causes and are

[augustine]

"...Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity..."

Catechism of the Catholic Church #2296

[axver]

That's not an issue, luckily enough. A person's medical history is checked, and if there are issues - such as Lyme - then the organs would not be removed or used. In almost all cases, a person has to die in a narrow and specific way for their organs to be successfully harvested, and less than 1% of people who die in Australia can actually donate in the first place. So anybody who actually dies of a medical condition that affects their organs would be unable to donate in the first place.

I do wonder, though, if organs from people with medical conditions are useful for donation to science for research and study though? It may not save a life directly, but it might help enhance knowledge and save lives indirectly. I intend to stipulate that if my organs cannot be donated for use on others, then I want them to go to science.

[axver]

Well, that's cool! And I'm definitely going to have to look into how to donate to science, rather than to another person - as it's rather unlikely I'll be one of the 1% who can donate organs to somebody else, I'd still like them to go to good use if at all possible. So hopefully there's some handy register like with this. It just seems like such a waste to be tossed in a hole in the ground!