Today I learned (TIL) that the UK has an opt out system for organ donors. Usually, to become an organ donor after death, you have to opt in, or make a decision that you want your organs donated. If you do nothing, it is assumed that you do not want to be an organ donor. With an opt out system, it is the opposite. It is assumed that you do want to be an organ donor unless you expressly say that you do not.
This is one way to try and increase the supply of donated organs. I am guessing that UK has the same problem as most countries, in that there is more need for donated organs than what is available. In my case, the wait for a deceased donor kidney is 8-10 years for my blood type. Increasing the number of live and/or deceased donors will shorted that list.
Having been on the transplant list for over four years, I generally agree with this approach. The UK system still lets family members have an input after the “donor” dies, and they mention taking faith, beliefs, and culture into account. Not exactly what that means, but it seems if any family member objects, then no organs are taken.
If a person do not want to be a donor for any reason, they can opt out, or tell a family member. I guess the impact will be for people who either want to be a donor or do not really care either way, and did not complete the opt in procedure. If that percentage is significant, then it will definitely increase the number of organs available for transplant.
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Huh. I just saw a US government website on organ donation. It states that 90% of people support organ donation, but only 60% sign up to be a donor. Not sure if it is 60% of the 90% (or 54%) but if we assume 10% of people do not want to become a donor, an opt out system may increase organ supply by ~50%. The issue is the statistics that says “only 3 in 1,000 people die in a way that allows for organ donation.“
Life with chronic diseases 