Organ Donation: What You Need to Know
Recently, the law in England that surrounds the process of organ donation changed. We now operate on an opt-out system.
Previously, 80% of people in England supported organ donation, but only 38% opted in.
This change was motivated by the fact that every day across the UK, someone died waiting for a transplant, due to the shortage of organ donors. (Organ Donation Law in England, n.d.)
What does the new system mean for me?
• All adults agree to become organ donors when they die, unless they have actively expressed their wishes not to be an organ donor
• However, if you are a member of an excluded group, then you are not part of the opt-out system. This includes under 18s, people lacking the mental capacity to understand this new law and take action, visitors, people not living in England voluntarily, and people who have lived in England for less than 12 months before their death
(Opt-out Organ Donation: Max and Keira’s Bill Passed into Law, 2019)
What happens to me after death? Do my faith or beliefs prohibit this?
• Organ retrieval happens in an operating theatre, by specialist surgeons, in a completely sterile environment, and afterwards the incision is closed and dressed in the normal way
• When your cornea is donated, the eye is never transplanted whole
• All major religions and belief systems are open to the principle, and these will always be respected
• Funeral plans will not be affected
Living Donation vs. Deceased Donation
• Latest statistics show that 39% of all organ donors are living donors
• Living donation is practiced in both adult and paediatric settings
• Living donations includes the kidneys and the liver
• Tissue products that can be donated through deceased donation are bone, skin, cardiovascular, tensions and meniscus, and eyes
(Living Donation, n.d.), (Deceased Donation, n.d.)
Why is the bill called Max and Keira’s Bill?
Keira Ball was a young girl who unfortunately passed away after a road traffic accident in the summer of 2017. Her parents were approach about organ donation, and made the decision that her organs should be donated to help others in need. Keira was able to help 4 people. Her kidneys were transplanted into adult patients, her liver into a baby, and her heart to a young boy called Max Johnson. Max Johnson and his family then began to campaign in favour of the opt-out system, and in 2018 it was announced that the law would be changed and would commonly be referred to as ‘Max’s Law’. However, Max wanted Keira’s name to be added.
(Keira‘s Story - Max And Keira’s Law, n.d.)
Are there any ethical implications?
• An opt-out system doesn’t encourage people to start having conversations about organ donation, which helps the public change in attitude
• Is there a certain amount of societal obligation to donate our organs?
• Is all organ donation essentially grounded in altruism?
• Medical integrity – it’s important that a patient can trust their doctor not to treat them differently just because they are an organ donor, and therefore their death could save a life
• Consent must be carefully evaluated and ensured.
Bibliography:
Deceased Donation. (n.d.). ODT Clinical - NHS Blood And Transplant. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://www.odt.nhs.uk/deceased-donation/
Keira‘s Story - Max And Keira’s Law. (n.d.-a). NHS Organ Donation. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/real-life-stories/families-who-donated-their-loved-ones-organs-andor-tissue/keiras-story-max-and-keiras-law/ Keira‘s Story - Max And Keira’s Law. (n.d.-b).
NHS Organ Donation. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/real-life-stories/families-who-donated-their-loved-ones-organs-andor-tissue/keiras-story-max-and-keiras-law/
Living Donation. (n.d.). ODT Clinical - NHS Blood And Transplant. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://www.odt.nhs.uk/living-donation/
Opt-out Organ Donation: Max And Keira’s Bill Passed Into Law. (2019, March 15). GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/opt-out-organ-donation-max-and-keira-s-bill-passed-into-law
Organ Donation Law In England. (n.d.). NHS Organ Donation. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/uk-laws/organ-donation-law-in-england/