Call for new donor law - UK

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BBC

Friday, 2 January, 2004, 08:46 GMT

Call for new donor law

An Oxfordshire MP is calling for a change in the law so that adults would be

presumed to want their organs donated for transplant after death unless they

had registered an objection.

Liberal Democrat Dr Evan has called on the government to allow a free

vote on an amendment to the Human Tissue Bill.

The amendment would replace the current " opt-in " system for organ donations

with an " opt-out " - or presumed consent - system.

Dr , a former hospital doctor, made the call after the idea received

support in a BBC Radio 4 listeners' poll on ideas for new legislation.

The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon said he had the backing of patient

groups, such as the National Kidney Federation, as well as the BMA.

He added: " Hundreds of patients die each year while waiting for an organ

transplant.

" These tragic deaths, often of young people, are entirely avoidable since

hundreds of organs are lost each year following deaths of potential donors

who would have wanted them to be used to save or transform the lives of

others, but who never opted in through the donor card or organ register and

whose relatives refused permission, unable to second guess their loved ones'

wishes.

" It is time for the government to engage in the public debate on this

important issue and MPs must be given a free vote, as it is a matter of

conscience. "