Organ Donation Should Be Required Once You Die

     At some point in your life, you or a loved one is likely to join the long wait list for an organ transplant, along with the other 1600 Canadians added annually. Imagine having to put your life in the hands of the people around you, hoping a transplant is possible before it's too late. Unfortunately for some, this day will never come. In 2016, 260 Canadians died waiting for transplants. 

    

     According to the Canadian Transplant Society, over 90% of Canadians support organ donation, yet under 20% have taken steps to donate, let alone register. So what is holding everyone up? The procrastination of our society has lead to hundreds of otherwise unnecessary deaths, which is why after death, organ donation should be required of all citizens.

     There isn't much to back up arguments against organ donation. In situations where someone might be undergoing life-threatening surgery, using their organs isn't considered until all attempts to save the life have been exhausted and the patient is officially declared deceased. Additionally, age is not relevant in organ donation, and many illnesses, including cancer, would not automatically rule out donation. More misconceptions can be found on this Canadian University Health Network page, where they debunk a variety of myths concerning organ donation.

     With Canada being one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, there are a plethora of world views and religions. While some religions have a more positive opinion of organ donation than others, most popular religions have spoken out in support of it. A study published in the medical journal "Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation", explores in great deal popular religions and their view on organ donation. The handful of religions that oppose tampering with the deceased often have overlying altruistic missions, and multiple religious figureheads have stated the latter is overriding.  The journal states:

"Life initiative to increase organ donation in the UK is endorsed and supported by Anglican and Catholic bishops, the Muslim Council, the Sikh Network, a chief rabbi, and others"

     In Singapore, all able-minded adult citizens are automatically presumed to be organ donors, unless against it in which case the individual can asked to be removed. In 1987, the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) in Singapore began to combat the drastically low number of organ donors; The annual average of donations was only 3 between the years 1970 and 1976. According to this report, the number of donations increased dramatically and became more consistent. Even with that there is still an average annual wait list of 200 people. A similar Act would save hundreds of lives if implemented in Canada. With the option of opting out instead of having to sign up, people will still have the freedom to make their own decision.

     Organ transplants are one of the most important treatments in late stage diseases. If organ donation after death is legally assumed, it will make becoming a donor much easier for the majority of people who support it, but take no action. The choice to not be a donor would satisfy those who are opposed. One organ donor can save up to 8 other lives and benefit many others, possibly someone we love. 


Register here to become a donor today.

Photo by Province of British Columbia


Search Engine Optimization:
While using Google Trends, "Organ Donation" was frequently more popular that "Donating Organs". The word "required" instead of "mandatory" was used quite a bit more, 88 to 14 in most recent statistics, as well as "die" being more popular than "death"