Take Action! Respond to the States of Guernsey consultation on introducing an opt-out organ system on the island. The deadline for responses is Friday 23 March. Read Channel Islands Humanists’ response to help you draft your own.
Channel Islands Humanists, a part of Humanists UK representing non-religious people living in the Channel Islands, in conjunction with Richard Norman, Professor Emeritus of Moral Philosophy at the University of Kent, has responded to a consultation held by the States of Guernsey on introducing an opt-out organ donation system on the island, similar to the system that currently operates in Wales. Humanists UK supports the introduction of this system which will increase the number of organs available for transplant, saving lives.
Similarly to Guernsey, the Jersey Council of Ministers has stated plans to introduce draft legislation to move to an opt-out system over the coming weeks. This change follows announcements by the Scottish and Westminster Governments that they intend to introduce this system in England and Scotland.
Humanists UK Campaigns Officer Rachel Taggart-Ryan commented, ‘We’re delighted to see that the tide is turning on opt-out organ donation across the UK and crown dependencies, and we welcome this move from Guernsey officials. By having the confidence to address this issue head-on and move past people’s taboos, we can create a more rational and more humane model which will save countless lives while protecting individuals’ right to choose. We encourage the people of Guernsey to show their support for opt-out organ donation by responding to this consultation.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Rachel Taggart-Ryan on rachel@humanists.uk or 07951 176 245.
Respond to the States of Guernsey’s consultation: https://www.gov.gg/organdonation
Read Channel Islands Humanists response: https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018-03-20-RTR-States-of-Guernsey-organ-donation-consultation.pdf
Read more on the news from Jersey: http://www.itv.com/news/channel/2018-02-13/would-you-support-an-opt-out-organ-donor-system/
Read more about Humanists UK’s work on organ donation: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/organ-donation/
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.
Channel Islands Humanists is a part of Humanists UK.
Humanists UK recently changed its name from the British Humanist Association: https://humanists.uk/2017/05/22/bha-becomes-humanists-uk