April 28, 2010
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Organ Donation
A new bill was introduced in New York that would automatically add everyone to the organ donation list. Only 1 out of 10 people are signed up to be organ donors. So thousands of people die without organs.
A person would have to opt out if they did not want to be an organ donor. Here is the link: Link
Do you think everyone should be added to the organ donor list?
Comments (94)
If they’re going to die & their body is going to waste, why not?
I’m an organ donor, tho I don’t really remember saying I would be.
But I donate blood & have signed up to be a bone marrow donor as well.
Don’t see why not.
I can understand why. And really your organs will just become dust so no big deal and at least you know you will be doing good even after you are dead.
Yes, because burning up your organs or having them buried is a waste when they could allow someone else to live.
Yes, definitely.
yes.
I’ll have my organs sold on the black market.
Yes.
To be so selfish even in death…bah.
Just give ‘em your kidneys, you won’t need them in hell.
Yes, this is a smart system.
No. The logistics of screening all those organs for diseases would be a nightmare. Anyone want an organ from a crackhead prostitute?
I am a donor but I believe in the opt in system.
Yes, I’m very happy to know that when I go my organ’s will save someone’s life:)
@nidan - Ditto.
yes.
You should never have to opt out of having your body forcibly defiled by anyone.
I think it’s cool adding everyone to the list only because they have the option of opting out. There are reasons why people wouldn’t want to be organ donors, such as religious beliefs.
No. People should have the right to choose wether they want to be a donor or not.
No. The state should not have the right to plunder bodies willy nilly, no matter how altruistic the intentions. They should call it the Burke & Hare Act.
Hell no. They ain’t cuttin me alive to get my fresh liver.
No.
That’s fine with me.
I’d say it’s a fine arrangement. I’m already a donor.
So long as it’s is still the individual persons choice it is ok. They have the choice to opt out so it is still ok. Just a different way to have a choice.
My first thought was ‘yes, but if they ever had any major problem with anything they would have to be taken off.’
But I’m not sure really.
I think the paper work for screening everyone who could actually donate once they died would be a headache. CORE is a painful process anyways. (and by painful, I am referring to the post paperwork not the pain to the patient)
While in principle I would say yes, but I could see as the Supreme Court has added a penumbra right of privacy for ones body (abortion) that this law could very well be ruled unconstitutional.
WOW. What a freaking awful article! There are absolutely NO details about this bill or questions raised. So at birth you are an organ donor? Isn’t this in a sense a contractual thing so can a child make that choice. If it isn’t a contractual thing are they saying the state owns your organs at birth? How does a child opt out? Is it up to the parents? This article is what I call crappy and lazy journalism. Forget the who,what when why and how.
I think a much better way of doing it would be to offer anyone who is an organ donor a tax relief or service of some sort like you can park in handicap spots…lol. ok, maybe not that, but something. You can drive in the carpool lane or you get a tax break if you buy a hybrid and you are an organ donor. There has to be something rather than the state just whole sale taking ownership of ones organs. This is just again to me lazy legislating, it will waste the courts time and money, it’s basic utilitarianism, and it does nothing to give encourage people to make the right choice (and not be so lazy about it).
I was an organ donor, but with my recent renewal of my license it didn’t give me an option for it so I don’t know if I still am or not. I need to stop being lazy and just put that option on there somehow or make sure.
if they have the choice to opt out, sure.
if not, no. no matter how selfish it may be, i think cutting apart a person’s body after their death without their permission is disrepect to the dead.
@GiantUnicorn - totally off topic, but i LOVE giving blood! i can’t wait until may 6th,when i get to do it again.
I think it’d be nice, but politically, I feel like it’s a violation of your rights. Spiritually, that might not be okay with everyone.
It would be most conveinient for me, though.
a soilent society is a happy society, try soilent green today
FINALLY. This system has proven to be effective in several countries by now. Good to see NY is getting around to it. Hopefully this spreads to the other 49 states.
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it’s great. I think less people would opt out of it than people having to make the choice to do it.
There are religious issues, personal issues, and health issues to take into regard. Perhaps an old fashioned sign up drive might do more good. This is not a thought at the forefront of many people’s mind at any given time. (Yes, I am a donor, but by choice)
I think that is the best idea that I have heard in a seriously long time. I mean after all, if you don’t wanna, than opt out! I think tons of people who would otherwise be willing to do it, just forget to set it up, or are too lazy.
@JadeMaster2 - but that doesn’t take away the choice! it just changes the default. see what you think about what I said right above you.
I don’t have a problem with it, in principle, but of course the logistics would be terribly difficult to work through… how do you evaluate a homeless man’s lifelong quality of health to determine if he’s an acceptable donor if he doesn’t have a file? Time and money wasted finding out.
@vangelicmonk - I never thought about incentives, that’s a pretty great idea…
@vangelicmonk - according to what Dan said, a person still has a choice, which is why it doesn’t bother me. does it bother you because you are “vangelic” lol, what’s ‘vangelic?” Is it what it sounds like?
@ELBOWpasta - how would that change the logistics? It would merely raise the organ supply. Oh, I think I see what you are saying…I think a doc can look at an organ and tell if it’s good or not, or just a quick lab. We need more organs so badly! You know?
Yes. If you’re already dead, you’re not going to miss your organs, jeez.
And a lot of people are talking about ‘having to screen all those organs for diseases, etc.’ I’m pretty sure you have to die in a certain way for your organs to be useful donations. If only 1 in 10 people are organ donors, they still have to die in such a way their organs can be harvested…
And I’m sure there are some nutjobs whose religious beliefs force them to be selfish even in death, so as long as they can opt out, everything’s fine and dandy.
I just don’t see why people care so much what happens to their corpse, *especially* if they believe their soul isn’t attached to their body.
I don’t think that it’s a bad idea. If you’re really against it then you will do what it takes to opt out. I’ve seen what needing an organ donation can do to a family it’s a hard and long road and if doing this makes the wait a little shorter then go ahead. I have opted to be an organ donor, even if I my husband hates the idea.
we all know Big Bro knows best—
IN A FREAKING PIG’S EYE!
(assuming more rational persona) History teaches us–make something compulsory, it will snafu. Like the one respondant says–selling organs–that will only intensify. You have the awful spectres of corruption–like now with blood transfusion (which I will confess, isn’t compulsury) but how will you verify the viability of an organ?
People don’t want thier lives prolonged against their will. Women are pro-choice. “My Body, My Choice” It’s the same principle. People are funny that way when it comes to consistency. And those who favor it–wait until it’s their–or their loved one’s remains.
I have to disagree with Plato and Machiavelli. An iron rule is not the best way to run a ship–or a govt–especially in matters like this. Self-determination trumps. Sure, it’ll take beaucoup public education. So does democracy and self-governance.
Required organ donation–yeah–like required health insurance. Wait’ll THAT hits the fan in a couple years.
I’m divided on this. As a health care worker, I know exactly what it means to see someone who has been waiting desperately for an organ die before they get the chance. I’ve also seen perfectly healthy people die unexpectedly and watch their families refuse to donate their loved one’s organs. As a donor myself, I think it is imperative that more people give their organs to those who truly need them–if you’re dead, why not? Baring any religious reasons, you’re not going to be using them!
That being said, I disagree with New York’s decision. You cannot take away someone’s choice of whether or not to donate. Yes, you can opt out if you so choose, but NY is more or less making the choice for you.
Increase awareness campaigns and get the word out that organ donation is important and life saving, but don’t make it mandatory. Wanting to help save a life is so much sweeter than being forced to OR passively allowing it to happen.
@And_I_love - I do understand that, and agree to a point. We just can’t take sovereignty away from our own bodies. Have we not lost enough personal freedoms? Let folks decide, don’t dictate. That is all I am saying.
I agree with this. That way more people get to live!
@And_I_love - “vangelic” is just variation of “evangelic.” I don’t know enough about the bill to really say if I’m for it or against it really, but it raises a lot of questions. Especially constitutional questions. The article itself seems question whether it would pass a court challenge.
I am an organ donor and all for it, but implementing a law like this feels too much like one step away from not having a choice at all. That I am not cool with. Also not cool with being an organ donor from birth automatically. How is my 8-month-old son supposed to opt out or not?
I hope the other states follow suit! I think it is a great idea.
I’m down with that.
logically speaking, yes. It would be a waste to let those perfectly usable parts go to waste.
culturally and religiously speaking it’s not such a bright idea i guess. I mean, there are those that would find it sacrilegious and a defilement of the body. My rents want me off the list asap.
and also, my rents told me this interesting idea. The hospital that gets your body in an accident will be less likely to save you if you’re an organ donor because they want to use your viable organs for other patients. ._.
Although I am a HUGE advocate for organ donation, i do not think that people should automatically be signed up for it. That said, go to donatelife.org people are register as an organ donor!! The driver’s license is NOT ENOUGH
I don’t know what any of the screening processes are like or anything, but it seems like a good idea to me. It’s not like they’re saying you have to.
yes!
Yes. Maybe….. Yes.
Absolutely not.
i think its the persons choice. they should donate if they want to. and not if the dont.
While I am an Organ Donor, I do not agree with this. What’s so hard about just asking if you want to be a donor at the DMV? It’s your own body, you should be able to make the choice yourself – not the government.
I think it’s a good idea since they have an opt out system. Too many people arent organ donors due to misinformation (like thinking people will kill them in a hospital for something. That’s illegal anyway) or they dont register at all. The organ donor list is in the HUNDRED THOUSANDS so I see the need for the law. It’s not like they’re making people do it!
Regarding the screening issue some commenters bring up, I think people who know their organs arent usable will opt out or it will be noted in their hospital charts. I dont see this being a major problem.
I’m assuming they mean after I die? Sure, go for it. Not like I’ll be using them.
I cannot believe how many people think this is ok, although considering how many people think national health care is a great idea I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. This is a decision that should NOT be up to ANYONE other than the person and their family. Period. Full stop. This is not government’s decision to make. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!! NO! and just in case you didn’t get that —
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Shinbi_Belldandy - No. Absolutely not. I don’t care if you have the option to opt out, it is wrong. If people do not sign up because of misinformation, then the proper solution is better education, not a new law. It is disgusting how many people think that they know best what decisions other people should make and so lobby some legislative body to create a law making it illegal to act contrary to that busybody person or organization’s agenda or to make a default decision for everyone else.
i think it is a good idea. some voice inside me is saying that the gov’t shouldn’t get to decide that for you. but maybe people that selfish shouldn’t be able to make decisions like that. why woul danyone say no? what the hell do you need it for?
@jwfarns - Better education would be ideal, yes. However, unless they make the education mandatory (lets say as part of the course to get your driver’s license) many people wont listen. Ignorance is one of the downfalls of society. I’m not saying this to belittle what you said or start a fight because you are totally correct.
The reason why I personally support the law is because, as I noted in my original comment, the organ donation list is in the hundred thousands & live donors are scarce. I realize some people dont do it because of fear but like you said, better education would help. =D It would be completely different if they made the law without regard to peoples feelings.
I’m anemic but I try to donate blood when I can because a pint of blood can help up to 6 people & all it costs me is maybe 10 minutes out of my day. Little things mean alot! Blood donations also go in the red (no pun intended), so I try to highlight that cause as well.
@Shinbi_Belldandy - So make the education mandatory. That is acceptable. Making a law that makes everyone an organ donor by default is a bad decision. It might save a lot of lives, but so would outlawing motor vehicles and airplanes. Saving lives does not automatically make it the right thing to do. Have you ever read or seen “I, Robot”?
@Ellicca - they are getting a choice, they can opt out if they want to.
i’ve been on the donor list as long as i can remember, i told my parents when i was little that if i died, i wanted my organs to go to someone else. yeah, strange child, but i had the paperwork to prove it and my parents signed so it was all good. there are people out there dying on the organ transplant list and people dying everyday in manners in which their organs could be harvested to save another human being. once you’re dead, you’re dead, but someone else could live. why not automatically assume that once someone’s dead, they don’t care that their organs would go to someone else. yes, there are some people who are strongly against it, but they can opt out. i’m all for the plan and hope they adopt it in canada.
Yes
My son signed his drivers license to be an organ donor, and in November of 2005 we honored his wishes. He donated his pancreas, kidneys, liver, and cornea (he would have donated more, but the other organs were not viable because of his injury).
We are in contact with the pancreas recipient family. My son saved lives.
Having said that, I don’t believe everyone should automatically be listed as a donor — it needs to be voluntary. When you list yourself, though, MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY KNOWS YOUR WISHES, BECAUSE THEY WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION. It’s very important they know exactly how you feel.
Yes, I am listed as an organ donor — it was the one positive thing that came out of my son’s death.
~Linda
I think it’d be cool if they did, but I don’t think there should be a law that automatically mandates it.
@jwfarns - I actually havent but I heard it was a good movie. I will try to see it!
@Shinbi_Belldandy - I hope you do. It really made me stop and think about how delicate the balance is between freedom and safety.
I don’t know if they should forcibly put people on a list. I’m sure there’s some people out there who are totally against organ donation because of a spiritual or religious belief, or something. At least they can say no, though.
I think they should spread more word though about it. If after I die, someone needs my kidney or whatever, I sure don’t need it so go ahead.
No way! That’s a personal decision and yet one more freedom being taken away. Its someone’s right whether or not to donate their organs. Some people have religious reasons not to. (I don’t… but some religions are that way.)
I will have to think about this a while but my first reaction is no. It just doesn’t seem right somehow.
yes. some people i guess wouldnt mind donating their organs, but just never get around to signing up. these people would be on the list.
the people who are strongly against donating organs (though i have no idea why) would be bothered to take their name off the list, because its obviously a big deal to them.
its the same theory, just a different way of making a choice.
but this way, you get more organ donars.
i guess this new listing method is to get hold of the people who dont mind donating organs, but just never get around to signing up for it.
@jwfarns - I definitely will. Will Smith is an excellent actor too. Oh & thank you for not bashing me or anything. I realize people have differences of opinion but too often on Xanga, people outright attack you if you think differently. So thanks for being nice! =D
@ShimmerBodyCream - They wont take the liver from you whilst you are still alive, its all done post mortem.
And yeah its a great idea.
I don’t think that decision should be made for everyone. I’m signed up to be a donor when I die, but I know a lot of people who have a problem with that.
while I myself did choose to be an organ donor, I don’t think everyone should have to be.
it’s basically saying that once you die, your organs become the property of the state, and not your family- do they harvest your organs and then give back the body? would your family feel like you were violated in death?
I understand there’s the option to opt out- but your organs automatically being the property of the state shouldn’t be a policy. it just seems far too intrusive.
@Shinbi_Belldandy - I love Will Smith and used to say I’d watch any movie he is in — until I got suckered into “I Am Legend” without knowing anything more than it was Will Smith. I still get nightmares about those vampire-things. *shudders*
I can be a reasonable person and usually am if I think the other person is too.
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@GiantUnicorn - I agree.
I don’t see the big issue with not being an organ donor, apart from some religious people are against it. But like you said, your body’s gonna go to waste anyway, so what is the big deal?
I like this idea. You never know, maybe a lot of people are not organ donors because they don’t know about it, or they do but don’t know how to register. This way, they will know they’re on it, so they can make the decision to opt out. But if by default, everyone is on it, then there will probably be much less of a shortage.
AWESOME!
meh, it’s like that in Europe.
Absolutely not. This is a matter of choice. It is bad enough that we are already owned by the government in many ways. We don’t need them to remind us that even our own dead bodies are something we (or our loved ones/survivors) have no say in.
I hope that bill doesn’t pass. Seems unconstitutional and unethical, really.
No.
It just irks me how more and more our government is stepping in and
butting their noses into our private, personal lives and decisions; I
hate to invite them into yet another aspect of our private lives. Ya
know? Besides, once you die, any plans you made for your carcass only count if your family chooses to honor them? That’s right. You can make all kinds of plans for your grand send-off, but if your family decides they want to cremate you and slip you quietly into a sink hole off the Florida coast, they can do it. You could tell them you want to be an organ donor, but ultimately, if they don’t want to allow it, it’s not going to happen. I believe the law states that technically the deceased’s body is the property and responsibility of his family….I THINK…so don’t quote me on that. So ultimately, the decision is theirs, not yours.
Also organ donation goes against some people’s religious beliefs and is considered desecration of the body (ie. The Jewish faith does not cremate or embalm bodies or allow them to be autopsied except under very specific circumstances).
I think ccarothers has a good point too …the paperwork would be horrific. Think about how much BS you have to go through now just to renew your driver’s license.
Yes. Duh.
I think a lot of people aren’t donors because the idea “gives them the willies” or some stupid shit like that, and that pisses me off so bad because- HELLO! YOU’LL BE DEAD! That won’t even be you any more, it’s just your body (or rather, a few parts of your body.) Get the fuck over it.
So if you’re really actually an informed person who cares enough to mark your organs as not for donation (you deluded weirdo) then go ahead, you’ve got the right and the choice, to opt-out.
I think as long as you’re allowed to opt out, yes.
No. I saw the movie Last Breath about a guy who kills someone for their lungs. It really made me think.
It’s easy enough to sign up. Just sign the back of your driver license. Forcing people into things is socialistic. When your own body isn’t even your own, you know you are in a fascist society.
I am on the organ donor registery for all of my organs/bits that they could take, but do not think it should be automatic. I personally think it should be an individual choice.
@Texana - I saw that movie too – pretty freaky hey!!!
Yes, whoever has strong enough feelings against it can opt out. If they don’t bother to actually do the paperwork then they don’t even care that much.
absolutely.
No! I personally am an organ donar. Its a bit scary to sign away your organs because you have to think about dieing.
What if it was against your religion and you died without being aware you were on the list.