Princess Leia

I understand that for those of us who were in the UK during the mad cow years , our organs will not be acceptable for donation in Australia due to the risk that our bodies may be contaminated by the meat products that we ate.

James516

Hav eyou got a link for this? It might be that case for blood, but not organs.

Certainly back here in the UK people who received a blood transfusion between about 1980 and 1996 can't donat blood but can donate organs.

The rationale is that an organ recipient is in much greater clinical need than a blood recipient, so the risk of CJD is worth taking.

Cheetah7

What concerns me is that if a person carries a donor card and then dies, the family still have the right to override the victims decision to donate organs which sort of defeats the object of carrying a card.

Mr PP carries a card yet his sister is strongly opposed to organ donation - although she admitted that if it were her child (if she had one) or nieces/nephews then it is different.

Really, if you are prepared to receive then you should be prepared to give in my book.

I would be proud and honoured if the organs of one of myself and loved ones could give life to others.

I think if a person expresses a wish to be an organ donor, then this should be respected. An opt out process would be good so if someone is against organ donation they can opt out by their own choice - or not as the case may be.

I have always said that if a heart can go on beating in the body of another then who are we to stop it?

Vegemite Kids

I'm an organ volunteer and have been for +20 years, as well as a bone marrow volunteer.

I was once asked to test further for bone marrow but unfortunately at the third stage testing I failed

The way I look at it is - if my hubby died, I would be devasted, but it would be comforting to know that more than 8 other people could have an improved life, to me it would mean he wasnt totally dead.

To comment on the situation in OZ re blood donation - if I need a blood donation that desparately, then the risk of CJD in 10 years time vs the risk of death next month / next year is well worth it in my opinion - the same with organ donation.

As a previous poster said, until you've "been there, done that" its hard to know for sure, but hubby knows if he doesnt agree to donate my organs I'll haunt him (i.e nag from beyond the grave) for the rest of his life

asher

what about veggies? is their blood acceptable?

OzzieNurse

What if 'heaven forbid' a child dies and their parents are no longer asked if they wish to donate their child's organs and they are taken anyway? This could potentially happen could it not?
I am not sure about this 'opt out' scheme. Surely those that wish to donate do so by having the donor card?

OzzieNurse

I had a life saving blood transfusion after the birth of my son. I have no idea who donated or if they had any contact with CJD or not at the time it was life or death and I am extremely grateful I got the transfusion.
I have since having the transfusion however never felt the same. Could be a coincedence, but I have felt fatigued and achy ever since the transfusion. My blood tests are always normal so I guess that's what nearly dying and having a child do for you?
DONT DO IT !!!! (have children, I mean) Your body will never be the same again!

asher

this is the sort of thing that worries me, also any of us with anything unusual may find half our organs in a jar!!

I believe most medical research is valid, however there are unscrupulous people the world over who would be able to stop them?

I would love to donate so have a card but more importantly I have made all my relatives aware, but I would rather not donate if it will add to their distress at my death

so still in two minds

penky

I think there are plenty of valid arguments for and against compulsory organ donation, am not sure myself yet.

What I will say is, please if you carry a donation card, let your relatives know your wishes,
Its awful when someone is dying and you find a donor card on them and you then have to approach the grief stricken family and bring it up and it comes out the blue for them.

Ozzidoc

But those bits of the body would be treated to some extent.

Vim Fuego

Treated? To what, truffles?

Ozzidoc

LOL.

Though on reflection, Im not really sure how they are treated...hmmmm...

asher

probably just given an Aussie passport

Vim Fuego

Maybe a Working Holiday Visa with a view to PR would be more appropriate?

Ozzidoc

Anyone know the situation in other countries? Is Spain or Portugal "opt-out"?