Should Organ Donation be Mandatory?

I think it was a British politician that proposed the following idea, which I find a perfect solution: make it the default status that all citizens are automatically donors, but they have the choice to claim "non-donor" status at any time. So it's not obligatory, but it's the default, the norm, and you have to choose NOT to be a donor, rather than the other way around.

Oh wow, this is a very realistic scenario. Kill you off because you're listed as an organ donor because someone with a high position in the government is dying. Scary thought. I oppose this immensely! I think it's only as good as what its intentions are.

I am not a donor because when I got my license and things I was going through chemotherapy so my organs weren't the greatest. But now that I am cancer free I will become one because if I die and I can help someone else live I would want to do that.

No way!!!!! It is a choice a person should make based upon their own capabilities, or their families choice. There is too much control anyhow...plus, ever heard of the black market. Some say it's all paranoia, but come on the facts are facts the more laws that are invented to help or save lives the more money making criminals salivate. Leave it as it is. If you want to donate either check the box on your license or make sure it is in your living will, etc. Keep the government out of our bodies, they already control our lives enough money wise.

I am a donor, but I like to be one by my choice. I don't like to be forced to do things against my will and this is a big decision for some people. Some religions, like you mentioned, would fight this and I would understand them. And some people aren't donors because their organs aren't all that great anymore...would you want a lung from a chain smoker? I certainly wouldn't. I am proud to be a donor as my organs are in great condition right now and should be for some time (I'm only 20). There are just some things that people should be able to choose for themselves.

I am not a donor at the moment but it doesn't mean I wouldn't want to donate my organ if it's necessary. It would be best to encourage people to donate but not to coerce them. Your organs are part of your body and you must have full control over what's to be taken out. I disagree with this totally.

Anything should not be a mandatory thing in a free society.People who are educated and and have the heart to come forward are plenty.It should be the personal willingness.After all the organs are their property.Ain't it?

I am a donor, and do wish everyone were, but you're right, there are many reasons for others to choose not to. I don't think making it mandatory would be the greatest of ideas. It would just be yet another thing the government has control of, and our government should not have that much control.

I'm an organ donor and I agree with you, no one has the right to dictate what happens to your body unless you are mentally incapable of making rational decisions. I have a living will and so does my husband so that our wishes are (hopefully) respected if we are unable to speak for ourselves.

I think they are stepping over into our territory when they tell us what we HAVE to do with our own body! It would be wrong for the government to do such a thing. BUT when did that stop the government from doing what they want. Hopefully, they never get this idea in their heads!The government has already overstepped it's boundaries in other things and who knows - they may do this some day, too. But I sure hope not.

I am trying to become a donor but i haven't yet. I think if your body is going to sit in the ground for how ever long why not save a life with those organs. There are not enough donors for how many people have organ failure a year and its sad. A child is born with a heart defect that leads to heart failure. A mother gets sick and doesn't take care of it right away and it causes a serious condition that leads to heart failure. A disease that causes liver failure. Kidney failure. Its like everyday i see or hear different stories. If it were my son i would glady lay down my life so he could have a chance.

I am not a donor. The problems would be to numerous for the government to handle if it became mandatory. The reason i am not a donor is because it goes against my religious beliefs, as well as alot of other people. I think this is rather absurd, if the government is thinking about this. Can you imagine all the diseased organs that would be out there if this was made mandatory. What chances will someone have to live a longer life, when they truly need a transplant, like a child? It is a scary thought.

Like you, I am an organ donor and believe that everyone should be. However, I do not think anyone should be forced to against their will! There are many reasons someone might choose not to be an organ donor and no one else has the right to tell them what they can do with their body. I can't even imagine what would happen if the government actually tried to regulate something like that. I doubt they ever would, but wow would there be trouble! Your comment about killing someone off to save a senator reminded me that I know a few people who refuse to become organ donors because they're afraid that if something happens to them, the doctors won't try as hard to save them because they'll want their organs. I think that's kind of silly, but at the same time, I wouldn't try to force someone else to become an organ donor if they didn't want to. I've discussed options with people before and in general I encourage organ donation but it is ultimately the right of each individual to decide for or against it. I bet the radio station got a lot of very interesting phone calls about that topic!

I am a donor, and I guess Organ Donation should be mandatory. Because what would we do when we die? Do a barbecue with our body?

i think,it should be done of free will but i think education about organ donation should be made compulsory.the advancements in organ donations,is now amazing.

You got a point there. I think it should not be made mandatory but voluntary only. I guess it is a person's personal choice to choose to donate his organs and to whom he wants it.

I am a donor personally because I feel that one should help others whenever given the chance to do so.But I disagree with it being mandatory.That sounds more like George Orwell's 1984 than anything.It would be a severe breach of what this country stands for and of personal freedom and democracy in many ways. Though I wouldnt be surprised if this were to be implemented one day.As it is the government tells us what to ingest, who to marry and how to live in many ways as we are slowly becoming more and more of a tyrannical police state.

It should not be mandatory...It should not let people donate if they're not sure, donating an organ is a choice and it should be out of love not duty or out of pressure. Some donate their organ guilt-free, that's because they made a choice and they want to help. But I think some were forced to donate due to poverty, some used it as a business in order to support their family, but in the end they don't know what will happen to then in return. There are also qualifications in donating an organ, one must be physically fit and willing to help from the bottom of their hearts. So not everybody is required to do it. (^_^)

I personally wouldn't have an issue with it being mandatory. I have the organ donor symbol on my license. It seems as though the government is trying to find new ways to control our lives all the time! That I don't agree with, but I do think about how many lives could be saved IF everyone was an organ donor.

maybe if he really needs my organ....