Organ scandal mum in fight to stop law change

Published on Monday 29 October 2007 12:05

A MOTHER whose dead baby's organs were removed without her permission is leading a campaign against a change in organ donor laws.

Lydia Reid, of Clermiston, has collected nearly 3000 signatures on a petition opposing proposals for a national "opt-out" system.

The UK Health Secretary Alan Johnson last month ordered an investigation into the plans, which would mean that everyone is regarded as an organ donor unless they have stated otherwise. The move was welcomed by Scotland's Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

However, Ms Reid, 59, believes most people are "absolutely opposed" to such a change.

She set up the group Justice for the Innocents after her week-old son Gary's organs were taken after his death at Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital in 1975. Thousands of parents across the UK are calling for a public inquiry into the practice of organ retention for research purposes, which was carried out between 1970 and 2000.

"We're absolutely against an opt-out system," said Ms Reid. "People must be able to make the decision for themselves. I'd love everybody to donate their organs, but they have the right not to.

"Our hope is the Scottish Parliament will listen when we tell people that the ability to take people's organs can put lives in danger. It gives doctors too much power.

If people have to give written consent, then there's no question that's what the person wanted. It removes any doubt."

She said she would never stop fighting for justice for Gary, who was born prematurely. He was operated on at six days old for peritonitis but died the next day.

Ms Reid said the knowledge that his organs had been taken had added to her grief over the years, and said the opt-out system would only put more parents through a similar experience.

She is not eligible for compensation because the post-mortem examination on her son was ordered by the procurator fiscal. Only 70 parents in Scotland have received 5000 compensation after an independent review.

Ms Reid said: "The parents still want to fight for a public inquiry. We are going for compensation because it's the only way we can make them say sorry. For me personally I don't want their money. I would give it to charity, or take it in pound notes and rip it up in front of the parliament."

However, organisations including the British Heart Foundation and the British Medical Association are supporting a move to an opt-out system, saying it is the best way of tackling the shortage of organs for transplant.

Ben McKendrick, policy and publicity officer for the BHF (Scotland), said: "It is quite clear that the public supports this, and it is especially strong in Scotland."

A BMA survey this month claimed 64 per cent of people in Britain would support the move.