Letter: Organ opt-outs

Published on Thursday 16 February 2012 00:00

In response to your article on organ donation (14 February), I would like to clarify that the restarting of a patient’s heart would not mean that the patient would still be alive, as suggested by the Catholic Church of Scotland spokesman.

In these cases, an individual has been declared dead. The diagnosis of death refers to the person as a whole and not to their individual organs.

I would also like to reassure the public, in response to concerns that a doctor may see a patient as a source of organs, decisions are made in the best interests of each individual patient and there is always a clear separation between the treating team and the transplant team.

Under an opt-out system individuals have exactly the same choice as in an opt-in system – to donate or not donate.

However, we feel that an opt-out system gives added protection to those who do not wish to donate and makes it more likely that those who are willing to donate will be able to do so.

(Dr) Sue Robertson

British Medical Association

Queen Street

Edinburgh

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The Big Man

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 12:01 PM

I am not at all happy about presumed consent organ donations. My organs are mine to do with as I please. Right now, I carry an organ donor card, and my family are aware of my wishes, but should we change to this opt out system, I will have to think long and hard whether I want the state to take my body after my life. I think I would rescind my organ donor status if this were to happen.

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fourbyfour

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:18 PM

I'm not sure in what way an opt-out system would give "added protection". Also, there is a strong argument to retain the current system based upon the notion that organs donated are a gift from the donor, whereas an opt-out system means that the default condition is that the state has an entitlement to your organs. I personally feel uncomfortable with this.

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