Organ Donation -- Your Thoughts?

[Joecoolyo]

Don't remember if I am or not, and I can't find it on my drivers license... hmm...

 

[ShahJahanII]

However, the thought of possibly lying there in my casket, "incomplete" as it were, kinda distresses me.

I would rather have my organs be put to use than rotting in a casket somewhere.

 

[holy king]

we have opt-out, so yes i am.

in reality, relatives are being involved in the decision.

 

[ShahJahanII]

we have opt-out, so yes i am.

in reality, relatives are being involved in the decision.

This talk mentions Austrian organ donation:
http://www.ted.com/talks/shlomo_benartzi_saving_more_tomorrow.html

 

[holy king]

My relative is dead. Do I throw perfectly good organs in the ground, or maybe keep someone else's relative from becoming dead? I don't see anything horrible about it. It's exactly as easy as deciding for myself.

well, for quite a few people it's not.
which is why no doctor would take the organs of someone whose relatives are against it even in our opt out system.

 

[LucyDuke]

well, for quite a few people it's not.
which is why no doctor would take the organs of someone whose relatives are against it even in our opt out system.

They're weirdos or jerks.

 

[Bestbank Tiger]

I've been one for several decades and I can't really see a reason not to do it, other than for how the law might be executed. If you do it be sure you understand the specific laws in your region, not just the ethics of it.

Well, there have been some controversies over the years where "important" people appeared to receive preferential treatment in the transplant process, like David Crosby, Mickey mantle, and Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey. Those episodes caused a lot of people to remove themselves from the donor list.

I'm a donor, but I can understand that particular reason for not wanting to be one.

 

[LucyDuke]

Hey, shenanigans, let's protest by leaving innocent people to die!

 

[Quintillus]

I have been ever since I was a driver. There didn't seem to be any reason not to be one. What I wonder is, why do you have to be a driver to opt in? (at least in many U.S. states) I could have opted in earlier had that not been a requirement.

I think a well-written description of the agony of someone waiting for an organ that their life depends on is a good persuader for those who are on the fence.

 

[Leifmk]

Yeah. I've known people who have been on transplant waiting lists.

I intend to live to such a ripe old age that few of my organs would likely be useful anymore, but not everything goes as intended. As a contingency, I filled out a donor card years ago. Anything that can be put to use should be put to use, then they can mulch the rest and use it as fertilizer to grow something nice.

I also donate blood regularly, because why the hell not.