Organ donation (Image © Steve Ringman/AP/PA)
Organ donation: a closer look at the debate
Organ donation: a closer look (Image © Baz Ratner/AP/PA)

Gordon Brown has signalled his support for the removal of organs from dead patients without their explicit consent in a move to help thousands more people waiting for organ donations. Presumed consent would mean that, unless people opted out of the donor register or family members objected, hospitals would be allowed to take their organs – a move that has prompted widespread debate. Here, we examine both sides of the issue and take a closer look at some of the lives that have been affected.

Organ donation: a closer look at the issues involved

50% rise in organ donations planned (Image © ITN)
50% rise in organ donations planned
A radical overhaul of the UK's organ donation system is required to boost the number of people given transplants, a report is due to say. Dedicated teams to retrieve organs 24 hours a day will speed up the process while the number of transplant co-ordinators should be doubled to around 200, it will say.
Head-to-head: the case for presumed consent (Image © Shaun Curry/PA)
Head-to-head: the case for presumed consent
Gordon Brown has signalled his approval for a policy of presumed consent in order to boost the number of organs available for transplant in the UK. Here, the prime minister presents his case in support of the policy.
Head-to-head: the case against presumed consent (Image © Steve Ringman/AP/PA)
Head-to-head: the case against presumed consent
In response to the prime minister, watchdog Patient Concern argues that presumed consent equates to "no consent at all" and is a violation of patients' rights. Read its case against the policy here.
The human face of organ donation (Image © Aiden Miles)
Real lives: the human face of organ donation
The parents of a young recipient tell of their gratitude towards his donor and the way in which the transplant has transformed their lives; and the family of a donor recount the difficult but ultimately rewarding decision to donate their loved one’s organs.
Organ donation: have your say (Image © Baz Ratner/AP/PA)
Organ donation: have your say
Has your life been affected by organ donation? Do you support the prime minister's plans to introduce a policy of presumed consent? Join the debate on our message boards.

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Organ donation

  1. Should hospitals automatically be allowed to take organs from people for donation, unless they deliberately opt out of the donor register or family members object?

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Organ donation

  1. Should hospitals automatically be allowed to take organs from people for donation, unless they deliberately opt out of the donor register or family members object?
    1. Yes. It's a vital step in combating the UK's shortage of donor organs.
      48%
    2. No. Presumed consent is a violation of patients' rights.
      49%
    3. I'm not sure.
      3%
993 responses,

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