Organ Donation

[kirsty b]

Without organ donors my brother would not be here. He suffered complete kidney failure and was told he would not live until 21. He had his first transplant at 25 following a couple of years dialysis. Sadly that failed after about 18mths and he was back on dialysis for another 2 years until he was lucky enough to have another in 2000.
Thanks to post-op complications we nearly lost him several times and for a man who was told that even though he made it to 21, he may not see 30 or ever be a dad he is now nearly 36 and has a little monster of a son.

I was on the donor list before this happened and have remained on it since. Myself and my sisters offered ourselves for live donation to our brother, but sadly none of us were able to.
My family know that if anything happened to me, organ donation is something I want them to consent to.

I'm all for it

[Tigerella]

Ok.....I know I would probably have a different view if my family or myself were personally involved but..... the way I see it natural selection means survival of the fittest, doesn't it?.

If we start messing with nature and transplants become a common occurance we will eventually weaken the gene pool to such an extent that mankind will cease to exist!

I know this may come across as callous especially to anyone who has had a transplant or is waiting for one and I can only appologise in advance if my views hurt anyone's feeling!

Hi

I agree, but in practice it cant happen. Its just like saying in an ideal world we should breed better people, just like we do with carrots.
But now the boffins are getter better with DNA etc, we might still breed a better race of people.

Tigerella

PS. I am used to no-one agreeeing with me, I am one of the few who believes we should do something about global warming.

[Birdie Wife]

In theory, I agree with you but if any of my children or grandchildren died before me I could not bear the thought of a stranger opening them up, or indeed the thought of someone else walking round with their parts. I know I've not explained myself properly but I would be looking for similarities and wondering if any traits had been passed on.

Ok.....I know I would probably have a different view if my family or myself were personally involved but..... the way I see it natural selection means survival of the fittest, doesn't it?.

If we start messing with nature and transplants become a common occurance we will eventually weaken the gene pool to such an extent that mankind will cease to exist!

I feel I should point out something about genetics - we are born with the genes we are born with and the only way of changing them is by very complicated gene therapy, and even then, that wouldn't mean that those genes are passed on, because gene therapy targets only affected tissue and not the eggs and sperm which are the way we pass on genes. Transplants of organs do not pass on any genetic material, would not produce any similarity to the dead person (unless it was a full head transplant, which hasn't been done yet!) and doesn't affect natural selection in any way, unless the transpant is of the gonads which create eggs/sperm.

There, clear as mud?! Hope I've explained that properly. In my view, there is no good reason to not pass on your organs to those who need them, except if you are opposed to giving fellow humans extra qualty of life or you have fundamental religious objections (eg. I think Jehovah's Witnesses believe you need your whole body to be intact so you can be in heaven with all your bits).

[zebedee]

I feel I should point out something about genetics - we are born with the genes we are born with and the only way of changing them is by very complicated gene therapy, and even then, that wouldn't mean that those genes are passed on, because gene therapy targets only affected tissue and not the eggs and sperm which are the way we pass on genes. Transplants of organs do not pass on any genetic material, would not produce any similarity to the dead person (unless it was a full head transplant, which hasn't been done yet!) and doesn't affect natural selection in any way, unless the transpant is of the gonads which create eggs/sperm.

There, clear as mud?! Hope I've explained that properly. In my view, there is no good reason to not pass on your organs to those who need them, except if you are opposed to giving fellow humans extra qualty of life or you have fundamental religious objections (eg. I think Jehovah's Witnesses believe you need your whole body to be intact so you can be in heaven with all your bits).

No, Jehovahs Witnesses are quite alright with organ donor and transplant. As with everybody else, it's a matter of personal concience.

[Flummery]

I've carried a donor card since before the local hospitals were able to do the op! If, heaven forfend, my children or grandchild died before me I would feel that they lived on somehow if their organs helped abother person to life. I like the idea of an -opt out- so people still have a choice - but really we're so indolent about these things and are very happy to 'do it later' which can be too late for a person in dire need.

[Birdie Wife]

No, Jehovahs Witnesses are quite alright with organ donor and transplant. As with everybody else, it's a matter of personal concience.

Oh right, thanks for correcting me on that one! I heard lots of stories about JWs refusing blood transfusions for their termially sick children, is that down to some super-zealous sect?

[Nicos]

Oh right, thanks for correcting me on that one! I heard lots of stories about JWs refusing blood transfusions for their termially sick children, is that down to some super-zealous sect?

Not so sure on that one, but as far as I understand it, they can only have their own blood back (stored) or 'synthetic' blood if they need an operation. Otherwise they need to find a surgeon who is willing to operate without using plasma etc

[Alice]

Everybody has a right to their wishes in this matter. I do NOT think people should have to opt out but make a conscious decision to opt in. An opt out scheme would just be the equivalent of inertia selling.

[SueA]

I think the 'opting out' instead of having to 'opt in' is a good idea. I've always carried a donor card but who says that would be found in time, I also registered with some form from the G.P. years ago but am not certain that the computer system it was supposed to go on ever came into use. It's a good idea to discuss this with your family so that everyone is clear on your wishes before the need arises.

[valmarg]

I suppost jokily I could say that when I'm dead, if there's anything usable anybody would be welcome to it. I'm a bit like bubblewrap - liver, heart and lungs would be no use to anyone, probably make them worse off. Also I understand there is a 'top' age for organs to be acceptable - I'm pretty certain I am above that age.

My other concern is that, I don't care about the circumstances of my death, I do not want a post mortem to be carried out on my body. I wish to go straight from death to the embalmer, and up the chimney.

valmarg

[Snadger]

I feel I should point out something about genetics - we are born with the genes we are born with and the only way of changing them is by very complicated gene therapy, and even then, that wouldn't mean that those genes are passed on, because gene therapy targets only affected tissue and not the eggs and sperm which are the way we pass on genes. Transplants of organs do not pass on any genetic material, would not produce any similarity to the dead person (unless it was a full head transplant, which hasn't been done yet!) and doesn't affect natural selection in any way, unless the transpant is of the gonads which create eggs/sperm.

There, clear as mud?! Hope I've explained that properly. In my view, there is no good reason to not pass on your organs to those who need them, except if you are opposed to giving fellow humans extra qualty of life or you have fundamental religious objections (eg. I think Jehovah's Witnesses believe you need your whole body to be intact so you can be in heaven with all your bits).

I have to admit I was being a bit of a 'Devils advocate', partly to stimulate debate and add another side to it or else the thread would be a seies of "I agree, let someone benefit from my death"

I don't think I made my thoughts clear though.

For example, If someone has an inherited diseased Kidney (as I do btw) and has a kidney transplant allowing them to lead a normal life and have kids, that inherant disease could still be passed on whereas if the person dies, his genes are not added to the gene pool and natural selection has occurred!
To amplify this to all organs and over an extended period of time we could weaken the gene pool, thats all I am hypothisising.
It's human nature to help someone in need even to the extent of donating a kidney from a live person to allow someone to live, but I just wonder about the long term consequences.
If anything, I believe it should be 'opt in' rather than 'opt out' as it could be very distressing to parents etc who didn't realise organs were going to be donated as a matter of course!

[madderbat]

I've carried a donor card for over 25 years, and when my son was eight we talkied about it and he expressed a wish that bits of him be used too.
As far as I'm concerned, when you're gone, you don't need it anymore, but I do take Snadger's point and wonder myself how far we are going with all this stuff.

Given that there 1) an increasingly aged population, that 2) we can't afford to keep in pensions, and 3) the government is trying to et everyone to live longer.... I'm afraid I can't see the logic!

However, if there are any bits of me left that might be useful, they are welcome to them.

[Nicos]

My FIL died recently ( too old to be considered for body parts!) and when I went to collect his ashes I noticed that if you send so many grams ( but not the lot) to some place or other, they will make a diamond out of the ashes!
Nothing to do with donating organs, but thought you'd find it interesting

[Flummery]

They are called Life Gems Nicos. I have a friend who intends to do this with her dog when he dies.

[blossom]

I think opt out is great.
My hubbie knows that if he doesn't donate my organs I will haunt him. The only reason (well one of the main reasons) I married him was because I was worried his Dad wouldn't donate his organs if he died. Now I have the say (whether hubbie likes it or not). I also put him on the donor register list not long after we started seeing each other.

I tried to donate my body to medical science a couple of years ago, but they don't accept donations from people under 50. Hubbie did say he would find it distressing not knowing what was happening to my body. So that one is out the window (unless he dies first).