Is presumed consent the answer to organ shortages?
Is presumed consent the answer to organ shortages?
Survey: Is presumed consent the answer to organ shortages?
The supply of donor organs cannot keep up with demand. Veronica English argues that assuming people want to donate unless there is contrary evidence will increase availability, but Linda Wright believes the problem is more complex.
In the week after publication of these articles, we conducted an online poll, asking whether presumed consent is the answer to organ shortages.
The final result, with 48 respondents, was:
|
Yes |
60% |
|
No |
40% |
Why people voted the way they did:
“People that could otherwise survive die because there are not enough organs. This alone is reason enough for presumed consent. We cannot let people die because of others' ignorance or superstitions.”
“Presumed consent sets a dangerous precedent. How are people to register dissent, how often is registration updated? Are people expected to carry a card, which may be lost eg in an accident or register online—this is an immediate barrier to many who are not computer literate and those who fear data may be misused.”
“I would like to think that if I die I would be able to help someone else.”
Who were our respondents (top five categories)?
|
Medically qualified doctors |
54% |
|
Other healthcare professional or student |
13% |
|
Academic researcher |
10% |
|
Medical student |
8% |
|
Member of the public |
6% |
Which countries were our respondents from (top six)?
|
United Kingdom |
65% |
|
United States |
4% |
|
Singapore |
4% |
|
Norway |
4% |
|
Ireland |
4% |
|
Canada |
4% |
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