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Re: Gordon Brown wants everybody to be automatically organ-donors

Grant — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:42:15 GMT

HeroicLife:
In a free society, hospitals would be private institutions. I suspect that there would be a market for free or cheap hospitals that would accept trauma patients on the condition that they allow organ donations if they die.

That would create some screwy incentives for hospitals, who are generally awarded for healing their patients, not killing them I think I'd pass, unless third-party inforcement of standards and practices was very effective.

Re: Gordon Brown wants everybody to be automatically organ-donors

Solredime — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:29:01 GMT

Consent is the only way. Presumed concent is indeed no consent at all.

This can set a precedent of presumed-everything. The state can presume something, and if I'm not informed about it, I won't be able to strike my name out of the list.

If you really think about what's going on here, then this smells of fascism. If they really want a boost to organ donations, the measure is simple. Make it free market. People who need organs will be prepared to pay for them, so when you join the list of potential donors, you ensure that if/when you die, whoever you specify will get the money for your organs. For example, many parents would put their name on the list to help their children in case they die and the children become orphans.

Certainly such a system would ensure the right supply of organs, as the free market would ensure the right supply of anything. Instead they're going to use coercion and conscription.

Re: Gordon Brown wants everybody to be automatically organ-donors

GoRonPaul — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:58:20 GMT

BWF89:

How exactly does a persons right to their body work after their no longer living?

The same way that a will works. The will is made while the person is living. It is a contract that takes affect upon death. You could put your brain and heart in your will. What is interesting is that the contract is typically only signed by the person giving away property. Since the contract is created while the person in question is still living it is within his rights to dispense with his possessions.

This is a good question though. Assuming you don't have a will. An argument could be made that upon death your body parts are available for homesteading as well as your other possessions. You no longer have life or the rights that go along with it. Your friends or close relatives would need to quickly claim possession of your body and other property in the event of an untimely death.

Re: Gordon Brown wants everybody to be automatically organ-donors

BWF89 — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:44:38 GMT

How exactly does a persons right to their body work after their no longer living?

Re: Gordon Brown wants everybody to be automatically organ-donors

David V — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:15:43 GMT

In a free society, hospitals would be private institutions. I suspect that there would be a market for free or cheap hospitals that would accept trauma patients on the condition that they allow organ donations if they die.

I would not sign up only becuase I'm young and healthy and think I can get better rates if I pre-negotiate.

Gordon Brown wants everybody to be automatically organ-donors

Don Roberto — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:57:10 GMT

About 10 minutes ago I heard a next 'wonderful' idea on CNN and quickly searched for an article on BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7186007.stm

According to this, everyone would automatically be considered as organ-donors, unless they inform the officials otherwise. I personally consider this a serious attempt in trying to make someone the property of the state. At first, this might seem as a good idea in order to save someones life, but exactly these 'innocent' acts provide the basis for more serious violations towards ones private property.