Human Organ Transplant Act

Personally I feel that it is 100% necessary to ask for consent when harvesting organs. With the "opt-out" system, it simply means that if one does not answer, the answer is immediately "yes". Normally we dislike it when someone tells us "silence means consent" so in this case when the effect is so large should we not be outraged? Furthermore, it is an outrage to human rights when the donors do not know where the organs really go to.

One major concern, as stated above, would be where the organs go to. Sure, many patients die everyday because they are unable to get an organ transplant, but the problem comes in when the donors themselves are unwillingly to donate for a very simple reason: they do not trust the doctors. Through the organ harvesting case in China, patients all around the world have heightened their guard; they do not want their organs to be used for illegal acts which disgrace them. If I were to see the way my organs were treated in the afterlife I would be infuriated.

Another major concern would be donors with religious backgrounds. To them, the removal of organs would mean that after reincarnation, they would be reborn with missing organs and limbs. This idea is largely propounded by Buddhism. Through the organ harvesting case in China, we have seen that many religious leaders were angered deeply when they learnt of the misdeeds of the surgeons thus it is not viable to forego consent in organ harvesting.

I would recommend the system in which the patient's next of kin will discuss and decide on the patient's decision whether to donate his organs. A patient near the end of his life may think irrationally hence it is important to bring in a second person in order to ensure no compromises are made. Also, I think it is important to educate the public about organ harvesting. This ensures that everyone is aware of the terms and conditions of organ donation and controversies will not arise due to one's dissatisfaction.