Organ Donation

Calin Leafshade · Sun 07/02/2010 16:14:43

I was reading an article on the BBC about organ donation and I realised that I was NOT on the register despite 100% supporting organ donation (I actually think it should mandatory or 'opt out')

and so I registered for organ donation and now I'm suggesting that you do too.

It takes about 2 minutes and you dont need any information that you shouldnt know by heart anyway.

Sign up kiddies

UK - http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/default.jsp

Dualnames · Sun 07/02/2010 16:33:07

I have a heart of gold. It's unjust to my family if they don't get it.

Calin Leafshade · Sun 07/02/2010 16:34:10

I dont think a heart of gold would be much use for transplant anyway.

A blingy paperweight though

NsMn · Sun 07/02/2010 16:58:52

I read this as "organ detonation".

...That would be kind of... interesting to see...

Clarvalon · Sun 07/02/2010 21:45:36

Ta for the link - signed up. I'm also one of those who believe it should be opt-out, t'would solve the organ waiting list problem in a heartbeat (pun intended).

Nikolas · Sun 07/02/2010 22:00:18

Already registered here. But I'm living in Greece now, so I'm not sure if the blue card is valid or not. $:-\$

I'm also a bone marrow donor registered in the uk, and as far as I know there's a European (universal?) link between all countries, so maybe this IS valid in another country.

Anyways, organ donation is good! Just do it! (<-Nike!

)

Ubel · Sun 07/02/2010 22:11:11

This is indeed very important. I would definitely sign up for this but for some reason I'm having trouble finding information on how this whole thing works in Finland...

If there's like a general EU approved organ donor card dealie that's valid in all EU countries, maybe someone can point me in the right direction?

Calin Leafshade · Sun 07/02/2010 22:23:50

It seems finland may begin to operate on an opt-out scheme

http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2009/11/01/finland-to-remove-permission-laws-for-organ-harvesting/

Stupot · Sun 07/02/2010 22:54:22

Okay... I'm now officially a donor.
There'll be nothing left of me for my family to cremate, but I suppose I'm doing the ozone layer a favour aswell.
Something doesn't sit quite right with me about the idea of someone else walking around with my body parts, but I won't deny it's the right thing to do. If it leads to saving a life then I'm all for it. And I know that if I needed a new heart or kidney, I'd take it in a second, so it would be hypocritical of me not to offer the same chance to someone who needs it... The idea just make me feel a bit weird, that's all... but who cares, I'll be dead anyway and it's not like I'll need my organs when that happens.

IndieBoy · Mon 08/02/2010 00:00:35

Heh the one topic I'm rather controversial with...

For one I don't think an opt out system on anything is good. I wouldn't like the government demand something from me because it's the law and I never filled out/or heard of the proper paperwork to make sure this was prevented.

I have great respect for what people are willing to do for others, but when it comes to someone's dead body, I believe they should be laid to rest. Not chopped and diced up, and fed around the needy while the family gets the debris to pay their respects to. Even if they are giving the gift of continued life after their demise, which is very honourable, I just don't believe we should be doing this. However I won't stand in the way of someone donating their organs, if it happens. As far as I know the family "get the final" say on the matter, even if you possess a card.

I get a lot of comments about my opinion on organ donation, that I'm being selfish because I'm not being a donor. Which is entirely wrong. I would never accept an organ from anyone if I was in such a situation. Also donating your organs is an important personal and a charitable choice. Not something you should do by force or peer pressure.

(I'll say sorry in advance of my beliefs, because I know I'm "always in the wrong" with my opinion on this subject)

Calin Leafshade · Mon 08/02/2010 00:10:47

That certainly is a bizarre position.

You wouldn't accept organs from other people even if you would die without??

and presumably you dont agree with medical cadavers for experiments either. I don't really know how your world view would work on any large scale. How would doctors learn?

and also why does it matter if a cadaver is missing its organs? Its not like they just cut them up with a circular saw and chuck the rest in the coffin and say "right, we burnin' or buryin'?"

Stupot · Mon 08/02/2010 00:20:12

I do see where Indie's coming from to a certain degree. We do have a choice, and rightly so. An opt-out system to me sounds cruel because it's forcing guilt upon those people who'd rather not give their body parts away. Which is unfair, those people shouldn't feel guilty for making a perfectly valid decision.

Calin Leafshade · Mon 08/02/2010 00:27:23

Im sorry but I dont really see the validity of the position..

Surely it is an infinitely better situation to have your organs potentially save 4 peoples lives than to let them rot in the ground?

The opt-out position is perhaps a little strong, though i still support it. but to be against organ donation on principle seems just strange to me.

I don't understand why you need the organs to pay your respects? You're not paying your respects to the cadaver, youre paying your respects to the person that cadaver used to be.

After death its just meat essentially.

Ali · Mon 08/02/2010 00:27:41

I agree with Calin, thanks for raising this topic.

Surely everyone should give away their clothes after death. Organs are like clothes, but more useful and less attractive.

Stupot · Mon 08/02/2010 00:45:27

I whole-heartedly agree with your sentiments, Calin, hence my signing signing up today. But in fairness, there are going to be some people who don't want to, and they shouldn't have to explain themselves. At the end of the day it's what your comfortable with. As I said earlier, I'm a bit uncomfortable with the idea of my organs living inside another person when I'm dead. I'm not so uncomfortable that it's put me off registering, but I can fully understand why some people might not want to.

For example, I don't give blood. Simple reason. I don't want to. I don't like the idea and it makes me queasy. Perhaps thats selfish, but it's my decision. And we should all be entitled to our decisions without having to explain ourselves.

Ali · Mon 08/02/2010 00:51:06

Well you should give blood:

Blood is like an opinion, you should give it away at every available opportunity. No one will thank you, but it will make you feel a bit better about yourself.

IndieBoy · Mon 08/02/2010 01:08:20

I would choose death over being a kind of "zombie" basically. Really, my problem is that it is a dead body that is being used instead of the person being laid to rest.
Maybe my descriptions of this all are a little drastic, but I don't like the thought of being farmed to prolong someone's, possibly already reckless, life. I know I should never be the judge of someone's life, but it really offends me as a living human being when I hear of already transplanted organs failing due to the possessor falling back to their old ways.

Heh I know my opinion isn't the most popular in this case, and my argument is rather hypocritical since I would never donate my organs. However I really do feel sorry for the dead people whose charitable act was a waste and that they will never be at rest.

I'm really happy Stupot understands my view, and I entirely commend his decision to become a donor. At the end of the day it is a donation, not a harvest. So why should I be a crop?

Tuomas · Mon 08/02/2010 01:09:04

Quote from: Pablo on Sun 07/02/2010 22:11:11
This is indeed very important. I would definitely sign up for this but for some reason I'm having trouble finding information on how this whole thing works in Finland...

If there's like a general EU approved organ donor card dealie that's valid in all EU countries, maybe someone can point me in the right direction?

It's not an active service but a personal choise. You either let those close to you know about this, and they'll make it happen after you're gone, or you go to the hospital and ask for this card the size of your credit card. You'll then fill it in and carry it around. Good to have in your wallet if you get run over by a truck but manage to spare a spleen. If you lose the card, just go to the doctor's and get a new one. It's not a long-lasting card but a paper one.

Calin Leafshade · Mon 08/02/2010 01:21:57

Quote from: IndieBoy on Mon 08/02/2010 01:08:20
I know I should never be the judge of someone's life, but it really offends me as a living human being when I hear of already transplanted organs failing due to the possessor falling back to their old ways.

Heh I know my opinion isn't the most popular in this case, and my argument is rather hypocritical since I would never donate my organs. However I really do feel sorry for the dead people whose charitable act was a waste and that they will never be at rest.

Firstly most transplants are not for liver damage due to alcoholism.. they simply dont give organs to chronic alcoholics unless they have been sober for a long time.. and even then it's very unlikely they will get one. There are alot of ways organs can fail and usually its not the fault of the patient.

And i'm a little curious as to why the body can never be 'at rest'.. Is this a religious belief? The body is at rest due to the fact its slowly decomposing, with or without the kidneys to filter water or the heart to pump blood.

Ancient Egyptians believed that you needed your organs for the afterlife and native americans would never allow it as far as i'm aware and i'm fine with that if offends the person. I'm just a little confused.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Mon 08/02/2010 02:30:35

I'm 100% against any kind of system that forces you into something potentially unpleasant unless you
fill out paperwork/speak up about it or protest. I'm also 100% for the right of choice, so if people want to donate organs then by all means ELECT do so, it's a chivalrous and humanitarian cause. It should not, however, be forced on anyone through blanket legislation, no matter how wonderful a cause you may think it is.