I've got a donor card - as you say, what is the point in wasting organs that could be so vital to someone else? I'm all for it.

The dilemma, I guess, is - if you're going to die for certain but somebody else needs your organs and are gonna die sooner, would you be 'rushed along'? This has been an ethical problem for doctors for years, however, it is now unlikely that your organs will be used for someone in the same hospital, meaning there's little chance they're being treated by the same doctor, however it isn't always the case. Then there's the fact that the other person's body may not even accept the new organ. A heart transplant is very invasive. It therefore costs a lot of money to perform, and some would argue why spend this huge chunk of money on an opperation that may not work when you could spend it elsewhere, perhaps helping hundreds of people instead of just one?

Some religions don't accept another person's organs either (especially vital organs from a dead donor) and some believe that your body needs to be intact for the afterlife. You don't come across this problem so often in the UK, now, but it still exists.

The sale of organs is creepy too - if you're facing death, you're gonna pay by any means necessary. I still believe in a just system. Obviously, if you're better off you get treated quicker, which is another ethical headache.

In my opinion, however, being an organ donor is something that should be a choice. I'd encourage it for everyone but at the end of the day, it's your body. I would however say to discuss it with someone close to you and make sure they know your choice - that way if anything did happen they would not be making a blind decision at such a traumatic time.

Exactly what I meant, about the opt out system.

And I agree about the blood thing, but my whole family have given blood before and I plan to when I'm old enough. I come from quite a medical family though.

I'm only offering my opinion only due to captain insano sucking the fun out of this.
I'd only offer my organs to someone I choose, if their body rejects it, fuck. Anything else, nah, I'd like my organs to stay where they've always been, I'm getting cremated when I die, viking style.

Oh no. Insano made a long post, raising some serious points?! Accept it, or stop posting here sharinganerror.

Edited by user 16 August 2009 22:32:36(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Now I know where I went wrong...I wasn't flippant enough and was too detailed about morality in regards to organ donation. I promise I shall use brevity in future.

In fact, Elliot sucked the life out of this thread with his long and twisted, inane ramblings.

Edited by user 16 August 2009 22:10:08(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Going back up the point about donating blood which Rince brought up, I personally believe the NHS have shot themselves in the foot with that one, especially in refernce to Gay lifestyle and donating. I'd happily donate blood, in fact, two opportunities have arisen in the past year where I could have, as my best friend donates, but I can't because having slept with another man, the NHS automatically frown upon me and I'm slapped with the assumably-STI-ridden stick. Beautiful society...

It's funny because among the guidelines for donating, it states clearly that if you're a male donor and have performed oral sex with another man, you can't donate blood for a set period of time (I think it's either 6-12 months? Heck, it might even be indefinite.) And as I said, if you've had anal sex with another man, you can't donate blood period.

I believe that's a farce, myself.

Couldnt they just do an STD test?

I could go for a donor kebab right about now.












Groan.

What the fuck? Hmpf. Idiots.

No no, I was talking about testing every donor. The gay thing should not be a factor, as STI's are just as common in heterosexuals as they are in homosexuals.