MP'S "CHANGE LAW" CALL ON ORGAN DONORS

13-11-2008

A Midlands MP has hinted that the government is considering changing the law on organ donors – putting the onus on objectors to opt out of a national scheme. The aim is to increase the number of body parts available for emergency transplants.

Tony Wright (Cannock Chase) said on Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg’s Talksport show this morning that Gordon Brown was “looking favourably” at new legislation – and said details would emerge soon.

At the moment, organs are normally only “harvested” if an individual has opted in to the National Register.

Wright pointed to the example of Spain where hundreds of lives have been saved because consent for donation is now automatically assumed – unless the deceased has previously opted out.

“From my point of view, this has got to be the way forward” he said.

“In Spain it has dramatically increased the number of organs available.

“I know people say that it’s not right that the state should control your body, but the whole point is that they don’t – you can still make your own decision to come off the list if you don’t like the idea.”

Wright revealed that he could soon need a new kidney himself following treatment for his leukemia.

He was speaking after one of his constituents Nicky Saunders appealed for a donor to come forward to help save the life of her one year old daughter Bethany Dawson who needs a liver and bowel transplant.

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