Giving Living Short Shrift?

When the Treatment(MD) is also the Harvester(MD) in ER or ICU you have a serious conflict of interest!

Puts a very GREY Area in the
Presumed Consent Law...

Sent by Al | 3:37 PM ET | 05-13-2008

I am a Trauma ICU nurse in Honolulu & recently heard of a plan in Europe, soon to be introduced in the UK where everyone with a drivers licence would automatically be an organ donor UNLESS they actually op out. This will add 1,000's of potential donors, what do you think of this plan?

Sent by Peter Massey | 3:49 PM ET | 05-13-2008

In principle I am a strong believer in such a program. If pre-hospital care was delivered by concerned and competent personnel this program COULD work as intended. However, the profiteering and privatization of the pre-hospital care sector has de-professionalized EMTs and Paramedics to the extent that too many of these people are more bus drivers than medical professionals.

Sent by Joe from Oakland, CA | 3:50 PM ET | 05-13-2008

"Those that are salvageable"?!? That is a very unfortunate choice of words. "Newly deceased" also sounds phony. Are we going to be eating green biscuits next? There is clearly an important emphasis to provide organs but we need to be honest about it.

Also, who will be working on this 'special' ambulance? Why are they different? If they are different then isn't it to be expected that they will treat people, or their organs, differently??

Sent by Daniel Bohn | 3:51 PM ET | 05-13-2008

Two issues come to mind:
1. Not all deaths by foul play are obvious at first glance. How are they going to guarantee that the coroner/medical examiner won't be overlooked or bypassed?

2. Although, organ banks are technically non-profit that doesn't mean people who work for or are associated with organ banks don't make money. When you make more money the more organs you get, corners will be cut and abuses will probably follow.

Sent by michael ferenc | 3:54 PM ET | 05-13-2008

I was a paramedic for ten years in Tucson, AZ and San Diego, CA. I never wanted to be an organ donor because I was under the belief that in a critical situation, if my organs were needed by someone of interest, there would be less effort to save my life. But, what was I thinking? If I am that close to death, do I really want to be saved/salvaged? When I go my motorcycle license 2 years ago, I filled out the organ donor card. Obviously, I have had a change of thought.

Sent by James D. Suba | 3:56 PM ET | 05-13-2008

Life Share is contacted at death or near death (pending) so they can consult w/ family BEFORE the team is dispatched to recover organs/tissue. Only then does the process start - which takes several hours to happen.

Sent by Dan Ward | 3:58 PM ET | 05-13-2008

From the "Keeping the Newly Dead Ready for Organ Donation" blog of 5-8-08; (with changes)

I know this is going to rub people the wrong way, but tough!
The statement, "aren't enough donated organs to go around", boo-hoo, boo-hoo!

Where was that sentiment when MANDATORY SEATBELT LAWS were passed? Keeping nearly six thousand healthy (and reckless) teenagers alive.
And lowering the speed limit to 55 MPG.
Or when airbags became required equipment in cars (the cost passed on to the buyer - $800/bag)?

The side effect of all the above was drastically cutting the number of "healthy" dead people. So, now you don't have a new liver.

How about more funding for medical research (at American medical schools) that can repair/replace the damaged organs?

Now, the state wants MY organs because someone weathly has poisoned theirs!
MY BODY BELONGS TO ME! NOT, THE STATE!

If someone can't take care of their own body, they die! It's a simple principle of nature.
Why, should I trust them with MY organs?

On second thought, I'm going to fill-out my donor card.
I'll donate my ..... rectum!

So, do these "vultures" preserve out-of-state organs also, or just the ones with NY driver's liecenses? Sounds like a need to settle jurisdiction.

Also, some religions have a problem with organ donation.
Something like: When a person dies, their religion requires "as much of the person, as can be found, be interred in a single location.

MY BODY BELONGS TO ME! NOT, THE STATE!
And certainly NOT the state of NY! !

Sent by Harold | 5:25 PM ET | 05-13-2008

I'm confused and disappointed, npr, this is not a balanced conversation. Where was a spokesperson for the organ recovery ambulance service? You know, the folks who can actually EXPLAIN how this system is supposed to work??? This piece begins with ethical concerns and never discusses why this program is necessary, how it will be made operational, etc. If nobody was able or willing to participate then the host should have announced that.

Sent by Greg Schano | 6:24 PM ET | 05-14-2008