organ donation

[janiecakes]

peter kormos (ndp) has proposed a private member's bill that would allow hospitals to harvest organs from dead patients if they haven't registered an objection.

there's also a competing member's bill put forward by tory frank klees, that would have people make a declaration (agree, disagree or undecided) as to whether they want to donate their organs every time they get or renew a health card.

what do you guys think?

more info:

http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2006/02/16/organ-donation060216.html

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...189&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467

 

[Cheer Bear]

I'll be dead, who cares. They can take what they want.

 

[fear_of_fours]

this is good because right now even if you sign your organ card it doesn't matter

if your family doesnt know what you want, then they can make the choice for you.


deciding these things in the moment someone is dead isn't very good.

 

[Bass-Invader]

i will live on in your body

 

[grumblegirl]

they're welcome to anything of mine, and i've signed my card and told my fam.
but now they don't want my 'stuff' cuz i got muscular dystrophy.

so - they can take me for science and figure shit out instead.

edit: i do think having some record other than family witness is a good idea. the donor card gets lost or ignored far too easily.

 

[supakeli]

I think that Kormos' Bill is too presumtuous. I'm not a big fan of anything that is assumed unless contested.

Klees is more on par with what I'd feel comfortable with. I'm an organ donor, so I'd be happy to know that my decision is known one way or the other, even if its simply so a grieving family doesn't have to decide for me.

 

[Booty Bits]

i think the health card thing is a better idea, because it would force people to make a decision.
i am totally happy with having all my organs and my eyeballs donated, but that doesn't mean that i think it shouldn't be a personal decision.

 

[rubytuesday]

I imagine that the presumed consent bill will raise the hackles of some religious groups/people. If there are special objections than that should be respected but I think this bill is aimed mainly at the people who are just too lazy to register.
I support it, or at least support making people decide every time they renew their license/health card. I personally can't understand why people would be so upset about donating organs, I don't think when I'm dead I'll be missing mine.
I'd prefer to imagine them saving someone else's life rather than rotting in a box.

 

[peko]

Interesting. I'm pro organ donation, but not cool with 'presumed consent'. You already have the option of signing your donor card when you get your healthcard, but making a law is even cooler.

I think the hospital staff approach to the family is a good avenue.

 

[janiecakes]

liz and keli - do you think that anyone who has strong enough objections to donating their organs would register that?

i wonder how much of a difference it would make in terms of numbers. how many people would tick off 'undecided'?

what are the reasons people are opposed to donating?

 

[agentRC4]

I'm like the Pope. I'm going to be buried with it all.

 

[janiecakes]

Originally posted by Booty Bits
i think the health card thing is a better idea, because it would force people to make a decision.

just to clarify, it doesn't force people to make a decision. you can say yes, no, or maybe.

 

[rubytuesday]

They should set up a photo list of the people who need organs, kind of like the humane society or those adopt a child charities. Nothing like guilt to change people's minds.

 

[peko]

Originally posted by grumblegirl
they're welcome to anything of mine, and i've signed my card and told my fam.
but now they don't want my 'stuff' cuz i got muscular dystrophy.

so - they can take me for science and figure shit out instead.

edit: i do think having some record other than family witness is a good idea. the donor card gets lost or ignored far too easily.

I agree. Sit down and talk to your family, and get it in writing.

Your family can contest your wishes, if you haven't signed anything.

 

[Chris]

I think it should be a personal choice, no one should be able to force you to donate any part of your body.

Besides the heart, liver, kidneys, etc, that are usually what is needed, what happens to the rest of my body? Medical research?

Who gets my organs? My family-no problem? Criminals, violent repeat offenders in jail awaiting transplants? I think I would have a problem with this.

Just some things to consider maybe?

 

[agentRC4]

I know two Alcoholics who have had liver transplants and are drinking again. What a waste. Organ donation screening should be a lot better if this can occur.

 

[janiecakes]

Originally posted by ChrisD
I think it should be a personal choice, no one should be able to force you to donate any part of your body.

Besides the heart, liver, kidneys, etc, that are usually what is needed, what happens to the rest of my body? Medical research?

even after you're not using it anymore? what bothers you about that?

organs and tissue that can be used to help someone else after you kick the bucket: heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, small bowel, stomach, corneas, heart valves, bone and skin.

 

[janiecakes]

i just read that things like tendons and ligaments are also used.

 

[Chris]

Originally posted by janiecakes
even after you're not using it anymore? what bothers you about that?

I know, so silly, I get your point, why should it, Im dead, I don't need them.

I wish I could say something more intelligent than it just does, but I cant right now.

 

[supakeli]

Originally posted by janiecakes
liz and keli - do you think that anyone who has strong enough objections to donating their organs would register that?

I think there is a lot of room for people to not understand what is required or even what they have to do to register an objection. My thinking is that there are likely a fair amount of people who won't be aware of what is necessary. It just doesn't sit right with me and seems like it takes the decision out of peoples hands.

The health card idea on the other hand seems to make things more clear. A choice is made and there is no extra step or red tape to wade through.

If someone chooses undecided, what happens then? Does the decision then go back onto the family?

 

[rubytuesday]

I want to be stripped like an old car or a locked up bike in a bad area.

 

[Chris]

Originally posted by rubytuesday
I want to be stripped like an old car or a locked up bike in a bad area.

I am so using this!

 

[janiecakes]

Originally posted by ChrisD
I know, so silly, I get your point, why should it, Im dead, I don't need them.

I wish I could say something more intelligent than it just does, but I cant right now.

no no, i'm not saying it's silly. i'm just curious - it makes me vaguely uncomfortable to think about it too (although i've signed a donor card and my family knows this), so i was just wondering if you'd be able to explain it.

 

[daddyiwantchocolate]

I couldn't care less.

I keep forgetting to sign my organ donor crap, so this isn't that bad an idea.

Those people who are creeped/Bible'd <insert other religious text here> out by the idea can easily opt out, so really IMO it's a wash.

I'd def. want my eyes, liver, kidney, heart and lungs used. Never thought they'd harvest ligaments and tendons. Wouldn't want my skin used for fake lips or anything.

 

[deep]

Originally posted by janiecakes


what do you guys think?

I THINK I WANT YOUR LIVER