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UK Pushes 'Opt-Out' Organ Donor Plan

Posted Jan 13, 08 7:46 PM CST in World,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is backing an initiative to let hospitals harvest organs from dead patients without their consent, the Telegraph reports. The plan, which could take effect this year, presumes consent unless patients opt out or family members object. The goal is to help the 1,000 Britons who die every year for lack of an available organ.

Patient groups oppose the change: “They call it ‘presumed consent,’ but it is no consent at all,” said one watchdog rep. Advocates say a media blitz would encourage proactive consent in a country where 90% support organ donations. Some changes are already underway: Starting next week, doctors will be asked to identify “potential organ donors” among dying patients.

Sources Daily Telegraph (UK), Daily Telegraph (UK)

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UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is supporting a radical initiative that would allow UK hospitals to harvest organs from dead patients without consent, the Daily Telegraph reports.   (Shutterstock)
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaks at his monthly press conference at 10 Downing Street in London, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth,pool)   (Associated Press)
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is supporting a radical initiative that would allow UK hospitals to harvest organs from dead patients without consent, the Daily Telegraph reports.   (Shutterstock)
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Great Britain  • health  • United Kingdom  • Gordon Brown  • organ transplants  • organ donor


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