Original story This seems like a good idea, up to a point. I wonder if it wouldn't be better to force people to make a choice rather than allow a do-nothing default option. What if you didn't get a drivers license until you select yes or no on organ donation? What if you didn't get a paycheck until you select yes or no on retirement savings? I see the intent to use human stupidity and laziness for good, but couldn't the effort be put into making people actually attempt to think for themselves?
It does seem like a good idea, yes. Until you realise that your organs belong to, if anyone, your parents (or God), as they (or He) are (is) responsible for your creation. Or, alternatively, to yourself. And who would want my lungs or liver?! To me it sounds like theft. Like council tax, income tax, National Insurance (though combined not as much as in the ol' country) isn't enough... now they want your body as well? I don't want to opt out and be told I'm an arsehole, I want to opt in (well, I don't want to, but you get the idea) and be told I'm a life-saver. I'll be damned if my organs help save some useless idiot's life. Bah. I don't think I'll ever understand this obsession with "life" (and health etc) anyway - it's not your choice to be born, it's only your choice not to leave life. We used to live to procreate, possibly serve one or several gods, and be remembered. Now we live to live. Hm. If this goes through, and I am not one of the first fifty people to opt out, you can shoot me on the spot. **** this.
I'm a firm believer in "the [dead] body is an empty husk. Dispose of it as you see fit". What's me isn't the collection of parts used to keep me running, its the collection of electrical impulses firing through my head, my soul if you're that way inclined. I fall firmly into the too lazy to care, however i do tire of the governments constant meddling, so i don't agree with an opt out on that basis however i do quite like cthippo's idea stick it on your driving licence under a box you must tick either way if you don't tick one or either box the dvla will either pester you or return the form until you've chosen.
How on earth is it theft? If you don't want them to take your organs, just opt out, it isn't exactly difficult? I have absolutely no idea why anyone with half a brain would object to the organ plan. If you don't want them to take your organs, opt out, if you do, do nothing. It doesn't infringe on anyone's rights, it isn't nanny stateish, it isn't taking away our liberty or freedoms, you're still perfectly able to do whatever the hell you want with your organs, the only difference is (shock horror) you have to tell someone about it. OMGNO DATS WAY TOO HARD! And even if you don't get around to it because you're too lazy to get off your arse, your family can opt-out for you after you die, so really you barely need to do anything at all. It really pisses me off people could object to this at all, it's as if people are so used to overly draconian measures taken by the government when a sensible one comes along everyone just reacts badly to it for no reason. Gah.
I think it's a good idea. I have no problem with my organs being used after I die but I am too lazy to enroll.
Its a great idea. Its like blood donation, everyone thinks its a great idea but most are a little apprehensive of giving bits of them away after they're dead, you know, in case they need them later. I’ve been a donor for ages but I’m to lazy/busy to give blood (the Blood Bus broke down the last time I was meant to give blood!). This will help save lives and regardless of an interfering govt the many people who are too lazy or ignorant may benefit or even save a live themselves. Granted they won't know about the latter but before you croak convince your self you'll be emptied of your organs which will then save several life’s, or just one really fit bird, it may cheer you up as you slowly cease to be.
Strangely my driving license is my Donor Card..... I don't really care what happens to my bits once I've shuffled off the mortal coil - take em if you need em!* * and really please make sure I'm dead(ish) before removing anything!
That's another thing: Many people are worried that if you're a doner card carrier, Doctors will be less willing to save you as they can harvest your organs. As utter tosh as that is, by having everyone a doner, it automatically removes this fear, as Doctors would be no more willing to not save your life as anyone else. A logical solution to an utterly illogical fear, but a solution none the less.
I'm torn on this. On the one hand, I'd obviously want replacement organs if I ever got sick and needed them, and I do believe that it's only really fair for those who're prepared to give their own organs to take the organs of others. On the other hand, my life had lead me to believe that fundamentally most people aren't worth saving, and it's not a comforting thought to know I'd probably be keeping a waste of space alive for 50 years.
Such compassion as ever spec . From my point of view this is fine- my body is rendered useless when I die and, as far as I'm concerned, isn't a person, just a container for DNA. Sadly I'm also like Jamie- quite happy for people to take my organs but too lazy to enroll.
I like it. I like the ethos that it will soon be seen as 'normal' to donate organs, and there won't be any stigma associated with it. I'd guess there are many people like Jamie and A88 who would be willing to donate but haven't signed the forms - they will presumably welcome this decision. Then the people who are firmly against it (for whatever reason) can opt out, they don't care. Surely the only people that are crying out against it are those who are significantly opposed to the idea, but but too lazy to fill out a simple form?
You go far further than the current intents, well into the area of totalitarianism. It's true people have a reluctance to make positive decisions, ones that involve actually doing something, like making a will. Far easier to put it off. A default opted-in for organ transplants is OK, same for works pension schemes, but the smoking license is going far too far. It's a commodity legally sold in the shops, I don't need a prescription for a packet of fags (or a cream bun), so sod that. And what next from Big Brother? A default set of direct debits for car tax, TV license, council tax, etc? Fill in a form to opt out? Tesco already do this with insurance - if you do nothing, it's automatically renewed. Seems harmless, but it's basically a marketing wheeze based on human psychology, like "introductory offers" with magazine subscriptions. Yes, you can cancel that direct debit, but X% forget to... Some good ideas, but let's not let them get carried away.
This is a good idea. Why not take organs after you're dead? You'll be dead, you won't know. As for cynical as never spec, you'll also be dead, so you won't care whether it's a waste of space or a genius.
If everyone opted in by default, there would be a booming second hand parts business. I can see it now on E-Bay "Cool I'm bidding on this replacement heart, owner was a healthy non smoker with only 34 years on the clock." I'm pretty much with the "it's a good thing" camp. If in anyway someone can benefit from my death then good luck to them. Helping others and having the ability to change someones life for the better is probably the most noble act anyone can hope to do. Maybe if we all aspired to this, the world would be a better place. (before you ask, I'm as guilty as the next person).
Yes, but while I'm alive I can dislike the idea that my body is going to go towards keeping some scum alive once I die, can't I
