The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed today’s announcement by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones that his Government will seek a legislative competence order on organ donation, so that the so-called “soft” opt-out system can be implemented in Wales. The “soft” system of presumed consent is the system suggested by the British Medical Association, and is supported by the BHA. The system means that organ donation (for those over the age of 16) is the default position but that, upon death, relatives are told that the individual had not opted out and are asked if they are aware of any unregistered objection.
The current ‘opt in’ system means that only 28% of people are on the donation register, which in turn means that 10,000 people currently need a transplant in the UK, and three people die every day whilst waiting. Changing the system to opt-out has been successful in increasing the number of organs donated in countries such as Belgium and the Czech Republic, where rates of donation are almost double that of the United Kingdom.
BHA Campaigns Officer Pepper Harow commented, ‘As humanists do not believe in a continued existence after death or place an additional spiritual value upon the human body, there is no reason to object to allowing ones organs to be used to help others after death, except for when an individual has expressed a personal wish otherwise. There are also positive moral reasons for organ donation as it will help save lives and improve the quality of life for others.
‘Today’s news is a step forward to helping many more people receive the organs that they need. We hope that any change in the law is supported by good public information, education and awareness of the new system, such that anyone who wishes to opt out will be sufficiently informed that they have the right to do so.’
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For further comment or information, contact Pepper Harow on 020 7462 4992.
Read more about the BHA’s position.
Read the British Medical Association facts and position statement on presumed consent
Read the BHA memorandum to the Wales Committee Inquiry into Presumed Consent for Organ Donation, 11 March 2008
Read the BHA’s oral evidence to the Wales Committee Inquiry into Presumed Consent for Organ Donation, 30 April 2008
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief.