Organ Donation; Should the Government be allowed to choose for us.
By Emma Morgan, 20th Oct 2011 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutHealthGeneral HealthManaging Health Care
Organ donation is a very personal decision and the new idea that has come about to make organ donation automatic takes that decision away from us all. This page discusses the pros and cons of such a huge decision and the reasons behind this new idea.
- Organ Donation.
- The Pro's of being a donor.
- Con's associated with donating.
- Not having a say.
- Deciding what's best.
Organ Donation.
Organ Donation is the donating of tissue and organs of a human to a living person from either someone who has recently passed away or a transplant from a living donor. It is said that many people think about becoming an organ donor but never get around to actually filling out the form; taking the small step.
There is a huge shortage of organs donated to the amount of people that need them to survive. As someone who is not a donor but is contemplating becoming one, I wanted to research the pros and cons of being a donor and make a logical decision. After all I am one of the many 'selfish' people out there that isn't sure they like the idea of giving my organs away when I am deceased to someone I do not know. Sounds silly writing it down but I'm sure I am not the only one. However, if this the only con I can think of I'm sure that someone, one day, will get a few more days with their loved ones because of my heart, kidneys, liver etc.
Sometimes the only way for someone to survive is to have a transplant of some kind. There body fails and needs help. This is a great way to help someone and show your humanity and consideration for others.
The Pro's of being a donor.
The main Pro would obviously be that someone will get the benefit of organs. Someone will be able to carry on with their life with the help from you. That surely is a big enough positive to the debate.
Your one body could supply a handful of people with the organs they need to keep on living. It's a huge achievement and families should be proud of any of their loved ones who have donated their organs to help others.
Some people relish in the idea that their loved ones live on in others, maybe even perhaps people close by.
Con's associated with donating.
Some religions were once against sharing organs with another human. This still rubs off on some people although most religions now have come round to the idea of organ donating. Obviously donating your organs mean you cannot choose who receives them unless it's a living to living transplant. This is one thing that most commonly puts people off registering to become a donor. Giving organs to another person with a different faith can be a problem for some people.
Another big con that is perhaps not true in all cases is when someone who is dying is known to be an organ donor by the card they carry around or the mark on their driver's license, the hospital staff do not try to save your life but only help keep your organs all right for transplant. This is obviously something that will be debated and I have to say I do not believe that anyone in a medical profession would intentionally let someone die to have their organs only unless they were beyond help and they agreed to be left to die peacefully.
Not having a say.
Should everyone be automatically become an organ donor or is it our right to choose?
So many people could, and want to, become a donor to help others yet they do not. This would solve this problem as they would not need to do anything. They would help someone without any effort, so to speak, on their part.
There is a huge shortage of the amount of organs available to the people who need them. This would make so many more organs available and in essence save so many lives.
But stopping organ donation being voluntary takes away the idea that everyone is unique and special. It all becomes about numbers and transplant rates.
If the law was to be changed making everyone automatically an organ donor would have such an impact on our way of life and so would, in my opinion, be a great thing for people who are fighting for their lives. Everyone has the right to receive organs from others but not everyone needs to be a donor. It just doesn't seem fair and in some ways seems greedy almost.
Deciding what's best.
After all the research I have done and all the reading I have looked at I am still torn between being a donor or not. I like the idea that we can choose what organs we can be give to others.
Obviously I am looking at being a donor when I die. I think that if in a situation that a family member is in need of an organ and you are a match that is a different situation. If you could help a family member you would and this is why I haven't spoken about this. I think this is a completely different subject.
There does not seem to be many negatives against being a donor. You are helping people and this is the most important thing. After looking at donation I think I will be becoming a donor. After all when we pass we do not need them any more so why not help someone who still has a chance to spend time with their loved ones. If it was you in the same situation would you not do the same?
Comments
21st Oct 2011 (#)
As the body is just the house we live in, I would not mind, when I die, helping to restore the house of another person. The person who receives a donation from me might copletely change their ways if given the opportunity to survive. However, this change could be for the better or for the worse, but I would do it anyway.
Thanks for this thoughtful article.
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22nd Oct 2011 (#)
An excellent overview of this complex situation, Emma.
Here in Australia -which has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the western world- our government is considering reversing the current situation so that, instead of opting in to an organ donation scheme, the onus is on people to opt out. In other words, a person's organs would automatically be harvested after their death, unless they have specifically requested otherwise. I think this is a practical way to solve some of the dilemmas You have pointed to in your article.
Thank You for raising this important issue.
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12th Nov 2011 (#)
If I were you I'd give it up.
Some people like me have miserable lives. they just want to die. I suffered all my life after kidney transplant I`ve become a walking hell. My family wants me to live yet i am not eager to. as you see nothing is what it seems. I do not know what i am or what am i gonna do with my life i am just 25 and have a long way to go. but all these limitations to live, eat or drink pisses me off.
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12th Nov 2011 (#)
Satrap: Please stay in touch with us and let us know how you are getting along. I hope you believe in prayer because I will be thinking about you and praying for you.
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