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We support medical advances for the improvement of human health and happiness. Humanists believe that respect for the dead is no reason to oppose allowing the use of their organs to help others, unless the deceased expressed a wish to the contrary.
We are calling for a move from an “opt-in” system of consent for organ donation to a “soft opt-out” system in which a deceased person aged 16 or over is presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they have specifically indicated otherwise and their family have no prior knowledge of their objection.
This campaign has been very successful in recent years: Wales (2015), Jersey (2019), England (2020) and Scotland (2021) have moved from opt-in to soft opt-out laws, and we continue to lobby for similar changes to be implemented in Northern Ireland, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
detail
There is a serious organ donor shortage in the UK, with three people on the organ waiting list dying preventably in hospital every day in 2018. Ironically, while 80% of people say they would be happy to donate their organs when they die, only 36% register as an organ donor before they die. An opt-out system would increase the number of organs available for transplant and save lives.
The system has been operating in Wales since 2015 and we have played a key role in making it happen. The Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019 was passed by the UK Parliament and the system will be introduced in England from 20 May 2020. We have produced a guide to help people understand how this change in the law will affect them. Similar legislation is also underway in the Scottish Parliament, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man assemblies.
The Northern Ireland government has previously indicated it supports similar changes, but has yet to introduce legislation to introduce them. was denied January 2016. Northern Ireland Department of Health discussed It passed a bill on organ donation in early 2018 but did not propose moving to a soft opt-out register.
What we do
- In 2022, Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill passed it The Bill has now passed the final stages of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It only needs Royal Assent to become law. The Bill will come into force in 2023, following a year-long public awareness campaign.
- In 2021, we responded to a consultation in Northern Ireland regarding the introduction of an opt-out regime.
- In 2019, as part of NHS Blood and Transplant’s Deemed Consent for Organ Donation Campaign Advisory Group, we advised NHS England on the launch of a year-long public awareness campaign about the planned changes to the law.
- In 2018 we campaigned on MPs and Lords in support of the Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill and successfully introduced an opt-out system in England. We lobbied the Government to enact this legislation, leading to successful policy change in 2017, advising civil servants on the issue earlier that year and working with moral philosophers to provide input to a UK Government consultation in 2018.
- In 2018, in consultation with NHS Blood and Transplant, we launched a humanitarian-only organ donor card to encourage people of no religion to consider becoming an organ donor.
- In 2018, we responded to consultations on the introduction of opt-out regimes in the Isle of Man and Guernsey, and welcomed the passing of legislation in Jersey.
- In 2010 we worked with NHS England's Blood and Transplant Department to support the publication of a leaflet on the humanitarian perspective on organ donation.
- In 2008 we contributed to changes in the law by giving oral evidence to the Welsh Assembly Government Committee Inquiry into Presumed Consent for Organ Donation and written evidence to the Welsh Assembly's Organ Donation Taskforce. These leaflets encourage people to think about organ donation and consider the issues and benefits involved.
participate
The most important thing you can do is discuss your wishes regarding organ donation with your family and loved ones. It's your body, your choice, and your chance to save a life.
You can also actively participate in the organ donor registry. https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/.
Do you live in England? We've created a handy guide to England's opt-out system, which comes into effect in April 2020, and how the changes affect you. You can also make your opinion known by carrying a humanitarian organ donor card, which is available to download for free from the NHS website.
You can support Humanists UK by becoming a member. Membership helps in itself, but you can help even more by supporting our campaign in the ways mentioned above. But campaigning also costs money – a lot of money – so we also need your financial support. You can donate to Humanists UK.
