Organ Donation. Should you opt out?

[Accountable]

BTW, all polls need an undecided choice!!

You seem very firm on this position. Are you sure? :jk

I completely agree with the OP. I don't actually think there SHOULD be a choice in whether you donate or not. It should be compulsory. I mean, come on really? You're dead for crying out loud.

For me, it's a great feeling, knowing that when I'm gone, my organs will prolong or save someone's life. Doesn't everyone want to feel that way?

You want everybody to have the great feeling you have of choosing to gift their organs, yet you would take that choice away?

The whole thing smacks of imminent domain. People have a right to abuse their organs and expect at least a chance at a fresh set. People also deserve the right to treat their organs well and decide what happens to them upon death. Our organ donation system is as easy as it gets without taking the decision out of the donor's hands.

 

[Peter Parka]

Anyone who wants my liver has a fuckin death wish!

 

[NewSocialist]

I can't really think of a situation where I would ever think it was ok for someone who was in good health before their death to 'not' donate their organs. It shouldn't be something you volunteer for, it really should be compulsory. Hell just think, the life compulsory organ donation saved could be your own...

 

[Peter Parka]

I can't really think of a situation where I would ever think it was ok for someone who was in good health before their death to 'not' donate their organs. It shouldn't be something you volunteer for, it really should be compulsory. Hell just think, the life compulsory organ donation saved could be your own...

So do you want my liver then?

 

[KLD1019]

im a registered organ donor and have the red heart on my DL. my family knows this, and knows that i'll haunt their asses if they dont follow my wishes!

 

[Accountable]

I can't really think of a situation where I would ever think it was ok for someone who was in good health before their death to 'not' donate their organs. It shouldn't be something you volunteer for, it really should be compulsory. Hell just think, the life compulsory organ donation saved could be your own...

You definitely picked the right nickname.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

When my dad died, he donated 7 organs, to 7 other families, who didn't have to experience all the pain and trouble losing a member of their family.

He would have died anyways--but if we had chosen not to donate his organs, 7 other people could have lost their lives as well.

In the end, it doesn't matter to the dead person, they are dead. They don't know any different. And to the family??? Why wouldn't you feel better knowing their death at least made an impact--even a huge impact in other people's lives?

 

[Natasha]

I wouldn't mind an opt out system...it's not like doctor's can just hijack your organs w/o speaking w/ your family first or something. I've always been listed as an organ donor and I have told my mom numerous times that if she over-rides my wishes I'll come back and haunt her.

I actually worked w/ a very intelligent black woman who REFUSED to allow her children to be organ donors b/c she didn't feel that a doctor would work as hard to save their lives b/c they were black and their organs could save someone else's life. I couldn't believe that even came out of her mouth!!!

 

[Accountable]

When my dad died, he donated 7 organs, to 7 other families, who didn't have to experience all the pain and trouble losing a member of their family.

He would have died anyways--but if we had chosen not to donate his organs, 7 other people could have lost their lives as well.

In the end, it doesn't matter to the dead person, they are dead. They don't know any different. And to the family??? Why wouldn't you feel better knowing their death at least made an impact--even a huge impact in other people's lives?

Shouldn't the person or family make that decision, rather than the gov't?

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Shouldn't the person or family make that decision, rather than the gov't?

i don't understand why people want to make any other decision.

I am talking about vegetables--people with permanent, irreversable, brain damage, that aren't coming back no matter what. They are basically dead, and your pulling the plug no matter what, why not harvest the organs?

My point isn't to say 'the government can force people to pull the plug to harvest organs' it's to say 'the goernment can force people to give up the organs after the decision to pull the plug has been made'

 

[RedRyder]

I am afraid that if I were in an accident and seriously injured and may or may not die..... that a doctor(s) knowing they have a patient on a waiting list that is younger.... might look at my donor organ card and let me go rather than trying to save me. That's one reason I don't have an organ donor card.

Another is because I don't want anyone cutting into my body.... even if I am dead...... to take my parts. I'm sorry...... but it's my body.

However.... If a family member was dying and needed an organ.... I'd be first in line to offer it up.

Blood is thicker than water. *shrugs*

I also know that my family can do whatever they want with the organ donation thing if I'm brain dead. I've told them how I feel and I just hope they honor my wishes. Perhaps some day I'll change my mind. Perhaps I won't.

 

[Accountable]

i don't understand why people want to make any other decision.

It doesn't matter why. It wouldn't even matter if 100% would always make the same decision that you would. What matters is that people retain the right to make the decision.

I am talking about vegetables--people with permanent, irreversable, brain damage, that aren't coming back no matter what. They are basically dead, and your pulling the plug no matter what, why not harvest the organs?

That's what we're all talking about.

My point isn't to say 'the government can force people to pull the plug to harvest organs' it's to say 'the government can force people to give up the organs after the decision to pull the plug has been made'

It's not a government decision to be made. It's not a function of government now, nor should it ever be. Any time you consider giving the government additional power, you MUST also consider how the wrong government official can increase or twist that power into something you never intended.

 

[Natasha]

It doesn't matter why. It wouldn't even matter if 100% would always make the same decision that you would. What matters is that people retain the right to make the decision.

But they do...they can opt out. Not to mention the point seems to be being overlooked that regardless of your personal wishes, when you pass away your family can over-ride those wishes if they choose to do so.

 

[Alien Allen]

I'm all for this. If you really, really want to hang on to your organs after you're dead then you should have to make that stipulation before you die.

Otherwise, every dead body should be harvested for spares for the benefit of those still alive.

Actually, thinking about it, I don't think you should be able to opt out of this at all. You should have no choice - you're dead for Christ's sake, you can't vote, you can't pay tax, you have no say in the matter. Your body becomes the property of the society it leaves behind.

It's not. You are dead. You don't exist anymore, just a corpse.

Unbelievable

Makes absolutely no sense at all

If somebody when alive does not want to donate that is their choice when alive

This kind of shit is lunacy. By default you are to donate. So that makes it ripe for mistakes and people having their bodies ripped apart to donate when they had no intent to do that because the system will default

I am all for donating. But not like this