Organ Donation Systems

OPT-IN or OPT-OUT: The Pros and Cons

With more than 123,000 people on the national waiting list for organ transplants in the U.S, and the number of available organs for transplantation falling far short of the increasing demand, an effort to address the problem has included serious discussions about replacing the current Opt-In system here in the U.S. with an Opt-Out system. The proponents argue that it will increase organ donation significantly pointing to the success of Spain which utilizes the Opt-Out system and currently has the highest  organ donation rate in the world. Opponents argue that presuming consent and ignoring the wishes of the organ donors family could have adverse affects and the negatives of switching to an Opt-Out system would ultimately outweigh the benefits. The following articles set forth arguments for and against an Opt-Out system:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/presumed_consent_not_answer_to_solving_organ_shortage_in_us_researchers_say

http://dbp.idebate.org/en/index.php/Debate:_Organ_donor_opt-out_program

http://donatelifecalifornia.org/education/faqs/presumed-consent/