Getting aggressive about organ donations

If a bill recently introduced in Delaware passes, state residents who suffer cardiac or brain death will become potential organ donors, whether that’s what they intended or not.

Earlier this year, Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, a Democrat from Rehoboth Beach, co-sponsored legislation in which residents would automatically be enrolled as an organ and tissue donor when applying for or renewing their driver’s license—unless they check a box indicating that they do not wish to participate.

This opt-out model for organ donations, known as Presumed Consent, bucks the spirit of our current voluntary opt-in (Informed Consent) system. Presumed Consent changes the nature of the consumer’s decision. It’s more guilt-inducing—and harder—for consumers to actively choose not to help others in need than to passively let the opportunity to help slip by. Legislating an opt-out approach also implies that donating organs is the sanctioned social norm. continues…

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From Medical Economics magazine, more on informed consent ...