A panel of experts has rejected a proposal for a presumed consent organ donation scheme. What should be done to increase the number of organ donors
in the UK?
The UK Organ Donation Taskforce - a government advisory committee - said there was little evidence the move would increase availability of organs. They also
felt the scheme would potentially erode trust in doctors.
The prime minister and the chief medical officer supported the plans to assume that everyone consents to be an organ donor unless they opt out. They believe it
would tackle the shortage of organ donors in the UK.
The UK has one of the lowest organ donor rates in Europe. There are currently 8,000 people waiting for a transplant but only 3,000 operations each year.
Should there be an "opt out" organ donor scheme in the UK? Would a presumed consent system damage the trust between patients and doctors? Do
you carry a donor card? Have you been the recipient of an organ donation?
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