Would you give up your organs to save a life?

Prime Minister Theresa May announced in October that the Government will shift towards an organ donation system in England which presumes consent.

But how do you feel about that?

Health Secretary Mr Hunt said: “Every day three people die for want of a transplant, which is why our historic plans to transform the way organ donation works are so important.

“We want as many people as possible to have their say as we shape the new opt-out process.

“But as well as changing the law, we also need to change the conversation - it can be a difficult subject to broach, but overcoming this fatal reluctance to talk openly about our wishes is key to saving many more lives in the future.”

Around 6,500 people are currently waiting for a transplant in the UK, but in the past year 1,100 families decided not to allow organ donation because they were unsure or did not know whether their relatives would have wanted to donate, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.

While 80 per cent of people say they would be willing to donate their organs, only 36 per cent are officially registered and just half of adults on the register have discussed their wishes with a family member, the Department for Health said. The consultation, launched last week, will examine issues including how much say a family should have over a person’s decision to donate their organs, how different groups will be affected by the new system and when exemptions to “opt-out” might be needed.

Here’s the best of your views

You only have to answer one question. If you or your loved ones needed a kidney or a heart would you want to receive a donor organ? If the answer is yes then you should be willing to donate yours when you die. Opting out rather than opting in is a good thing

Frances Bickerdike

If a starving child asked for your leftovers when you’d finished eating would you not feed them? Your organs are no good to you when you are dead. As distressing as it is for the donor family it is equally as distressing for the families watching their loved ones suffer, sitting for hours by the phone waiting for the call, having hospital bags permanently packed so you can dash to the hospital when they ring, counting down the days you have left until your organ fails indefinitely. Imagine if that was someone you loved?

Leanne Hall

My bag has been packed two years now and my heart is now only functioning at less than 40 per cent. It’s a scary thing wondering if you are going to make it

Nic Marsh

There is such a finite set of circumstances for organ donation to be viable; therefore, assuming consent for all those that fall in to that window would only be beneficial.

Kristy Scott

I think the opt out system is better for adults but not for children. When I die they can gladly take anything thing they can use. I won’t need them but my children , well that’s a different matter. I think as their parents we (myself and dad) should have the choice if under 16

Amanda Ba

I’m torn on this one, on the one hand I can’t help but think of the amount of people whose lives could change or be saved if it went ahead But on the other hand what right do the government have to dictate about what happens to our bodies when we die? We’re people...not machines, they have no right to say every person must be cut open and have their organs removed after death

Sharon Gregory

I think it’s a good idea. When you have just lost someone it’s much too distressing to be asked right away if you would like to donate any of their organs. If they automatically assume consent then the question won’t need to be asked. When I lost my baby son many years ago I said no at the time but regretted it later.

Suzy Hart

I am on the organ donors list. We’ve also discussed it with our children, from a very young age, and they have told us they want to donate their organs if they die. It’s a very important discussion to have with your loved ones. And this makes it easier

Jackie Praed

I don’t like it. We can’t allow the government to have that much control over us. There should be better education about why it’s a good idea but I don’t like this idea.

Look at China and it’s absolute awful organ harvesting mess. Not saying it would get that bad over here but giving the government control over anything is a bad idea

Carl Jones

Should have done this years ago, in line with many other countries in the world. I’ve carried a donor card for 41years, since I was 11. If any part of me can help someone else after I die, please take it

Nicki Greenwood

You’re very selfish if you don’t want to give something you no longer need to save another person’s life. You should have to opt out.

Marcus Smith

Opt-out for adults I think is a very sensible idea. The choice is still there for people who feel strongly about not wanting to donate.

Anna Jaye

I think it’s still our choice and always should be. This is such an emotive subject but I believe that you should not guilt trip people into being a donor.

Dee Banner

I have carried a donor card for years, when you’re gone from this world you don’t need anything any more, let someone else benefit

Marilyn Shatwell