Organ donation: In or out?

By DANIEL SANDERSON
Published on 12/07/2012 12:00

THERE have been calls to change the organ donation system so that more people can receive transplants.

Currently, there is an opt-in system, meaning people must sign the donor register or hospital staff must receive permission from next of kin before organs are used for transplants.

However, the Welsh government published legislation last month to introduce the UK’s first opt-out donation system.

Despite a record number of people donating organs in 2010, the Welsh government said a shortage remains.

The law is scheduled to come into force in 2015, after a lengthy public information campaign.

Scottish and UK governments have also faced calls to introduce an opt-out system.

The British Medical Association and the Royal College of Surgeons are among the bodies who have backed a system of presumed consent.

However, critics argue that there is no evidence that a opt-out system would increase donations.

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