Donating Organs

[Warped]

Sorry if you read this in the other thread but this has been bothering me for a long time. When you die you either go to heaven or you don't go at all. Or whatever the hell you believe but most would believe that when your dead your dead, even if the bacteria in your body and other such organisms can continue mutating and evolving.

Four recieve Organs from Slain Cop

* John Hege, three other Oakland police officers fatally wounded over weekend
* Officer was brain dead Sunday, kept on life support pending organ decision
* Hege's organs saved lives of four men, donor network says
* Hege's family: Knowing donations helped others "gives us a great deal of comfort"

(CNN) -- Organs donated by a slain Oakland, California, police officer saved four lives, and his donated tissue will enhance the lives of up to 50 others, the California Transplant Donor Network said Wednesday.

I don't understand why this isn't mandated yet. Your body simply does not need the organs after death. Its probably the best someone can do for someone else, by giving them life besides just making babies. Even the World's Greatest Dictator could in fact save people's lives. I can see not harvesting from sick people, and other such issues that pop up. But in all seriousness this should be at least looked into more by our leaders.

 

[Raziaar]

Many people believe they take their bodies with them into the afterlife, and thus selfishly hoard the parts.

I mean, I can't tell you how many times I've heard that tattoo's are bad because you'll take them into the afterlife with you. That it lasts forever, even into the eternity. THIS IS WHAT SOME CHRISTIANS BELIEVE.

So I guess all good Christians who've died in fires and hideous looking up in heaven, and god wouldn't give them a nice new appearance.

 

[Warped]

Many people believe they take their bodies with them into the afterlife, and thus selfishly hoard the parts.

I mean, I can't tell you how many times I've heard that tattoo's are bad because you'll take them into the afterlife with you. That it lasts forever, even into the eternity. THIS IS WHAT SOME CHRISTIANS BELIEVE.

So I guess all good Christians who've died in fires and hideous looking up in heaven, and god wouldn't give them a nice new appearance.

my argument with Christians would be that if your organs are a part of your body now, and they're still alive when you die for a short bit, then if they're in another body then really your Still Alive

 

[Stigmata]

How about we just switch from opt-in to opt-out? That way, the people who really, actually care about what happens to their body once they aren't around to experience it can sign away their gift of life to others for post-life esthetics.

 

[Phobie]

I can't be an organ donor, but if I could I would do it in a heartbeat (once dead, hopefully). I think it's an amazing thing to do.

All I have to think about is what would happen to me if I needed an organ and nobody cared enough to donate any, ever.

I can't donate blood either, and that's something I think EVERYONE (who is able) should do. Doesn't take a second.

 

[Raziaar]

I can't be an organ donor, but if I could I would do it in a heartbeat (once dead, hopefully). I think it's an amazing thing to do.

All I have to think about is what would happen to me if I needed an organ and nobody cared enough to donate any, ever.

I can't donate blood either, and that's something I think EVERYONE (who is able) should do. Doesn't take a second.

I've thought about donating blood, but I don't know exactly what the procedure to get it done is.

Perhaps I should go down to the hospital somewhere and figure that out.

 

[Phobie]

Over here they advertise it and just drive a big portable unit to places and you just turn up. Takes a few minutes and you get cookies afterwards.

 

[Darkside55]

I've thought about donating blood, but I don't know exactly what the procedure to get it done is.

You show up. They poke you with a needle. You get orange juice afterwards. Or a cookie, like Phobie said. But you'll want that orange juice, trust me.

I think what we have now works. Organ donation is very important, but some people have strict beliefs on what happens to their bodies postmortem. While most of us on this forum believe that it's silly and selfish, it's still their bodies. Stigmata's idea would work as well, in this case. An opt-out might actually be better, for those who are undecided or haven't put any thought into donating.

 

[Phobie]

The only thing that bothers me is people donating eyes.

What bothers me more is that Karl Pilkington (of Ricky Gervais fame) said the same thing. And he's thick as shit.

Still, there's something weird about donating your eyeballs. I still probably would donate them though. I have no belief in any type of afterlife and believe that when you're dead, you're dead. No feelings, no need for organs.

Chop 'em off.

 

[Darkside55]

The only thing that bothers me is people donating eyes...there's something weird about donating your eyeballs.

Spoiler

;(

 

[The Monkey]

I'm on the official donor list. I guess it should be mandatory, but I haven't given it a lot of thought.

 

[Kakashi]

Over here they advertise it and just drive a big portable unit to places and you just turn up. Takes a few minutes and you get cookies afterwards.

Just curious, why aren't you able to donate blood or organs?

But anyways, I've donated blood a few times before, it really is no big deal. You'll defiantly need that drink/food afterwards. You'll feel lightheaded a bit, but its not too bad. To me, the finger prick that they do to check your iron level was the worst of it. It took me by absolute surprise, it hurt like hell!

 

[kineaesth]

Just curious, why aren't you able to donate blood or organs?

Hi, I'm Phobie, to answer your question, because I have lupus.

I was going to give blood last year, but I was really sick.

Apparently on the questionnaire they asked about sexual orientation, which is a bit what the eff.

 

[Musk]

You may believe you take your body into the after life but your not getting the same body so if you want to donate, sure. Saying this, it is up to the person whether they feel comfortable donating their organs.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

That's pretty dumb too though, I mean if you keep your organs when you go to the afterlife, what about when you start decomposing? I mean you're screwed either way -_-
Though really I'm not sure.

 

[YROC]

This thread makes me want to drink as much as possible, then agree to donate my liver whenever. Would love to see the doctor's expression. XD

 

[Phobie]

It would probably be something like

:|

 

[Jintor]

I like that idea about opt-out instead of opt-in. It could save a lot of lives.

 

[Stigmata]

Canada got an opt-in organ donation program a few years back. What really ticked me off is that they made the organ donor cards out of paper instead of plastic. It's like the government wanted everyone's donor cards to get waterlogged and decompose.

 

[Warped]

I just think its cool to donate because in a sense it brings us all together and really your still living on. I mean if someone wants my beautiful face then really I'm still here on this Earth and not floating around with all the other atoms. And if someone wants my enormous cock and balls then I can one day get the chance to bone a supermodel

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

I used to be for an 'opt-out' system of organ donation, but then I realised that it basically amounts to state-ownership of my body by default. I don't like that idea.

But I do think organ donation is something we should all choose to do. I keep telling myself that I'll give blood as well, but I always forget to do so.

I'd prefer more education on the matter. If they (the government) really invested more money and effort into it, they could probably encourage a lot more people to choose to donate.

 

[Stigmata]

I imagine you'd be a lot more comfortable with giving up your post-mortem body to the government if they weren't already trying to take everything else away from you.

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

They're trying to take my freedom!
Remember Braveheart? This is what that was all about. And in the end they still took his organs for donation.

 

[Escaep]

It shouldn't be mandated. But it should be something you are required to put in your will as "Yes, or No." Some people are very sensitive about how they want to be buried. My mom doesn't want to be buried underground because she is afraid of tight spaces. Is she going to feel that? No. But she still doesn't want it.

I still believe people should donate their organs as it can save many lives. One of my mom's friend's organs saved 3 peoples lives. But then again, it should be a personal choice and not a mandate.

 

[Ennui]

What happens to your body after you die is something only you should be able to decide. My mother wanted to be cremated because she didn't want to be in the ground with worms and all that nasty stuff, and we abided by her wishes. Hunter S. Thompson wanted his ashes shot out of a huge cannon; Johnny Depp paid for a huge cannon to be built. If you want to be an organ donor, go for it. If not, that's fine, regardless of your reasoning.

I'm an organ donor because it makes me happy to think that by dying I might be able to save one or more people. Just so long as nobody gets my lungs

 

[Phobie]

My mama was cremated for the same reasons, Ennui

I haven't decided what I want done with me when I croak. We'll see!

 

[Stigmata]

When I die, I want my brain donated to a young vessel so that I may live again.

Child. So that he may be more intelligent than others.

Humility.

 

[Viperidae]

I think I'm scheduled for donation if I die young, and scientific experiments if I die old.

I can only hope that by the time I'm 80 they're into life extension.

 

[CyberPitz]

TBH, I think you should be forced to donate organs when you die. I only said "No" on my license because I was given the choice, and I'm a dick. It's not like I'll need them when I go to the great Rotary Engine in the sky.

 

[CptStern]

screw that, the church can get it's own damn organ, I paid good money for mine

<plays theme to phantom of the opera>

 

[Kakashi]

I too said no on my license. But that was only because my mom really didn't want me too, I could never understand why. But if it came to that point I'd gladly donate whatever can be of help to others.

 

[Qonfused]

I'm a proud organ donor. There is no reason not to.

 

[Absinthe]

There may be every practical reason to make organ donation mandatory. Culturally, however, I'm sure many of us appreciate having respect for the dead. And no, the numerous topics on this forum that mock the deceased don't count against that.

I think there should be more encouragement for it, and the opt-out idea sounds good. But I think we have an obligation to respect the wishes of those who pass. It doesn't really matter what happens to my body when I'm done using it. But just the same, I'd prefer to be cremated than buried. Organ donations are the same deal IMO.

 

[Warped]

I think at least my president, Obama should ask for volunteers to do this. He wants to create a better health care system, well heres a fresh start. Tax breaks for those who leave the option of donating organs when they die. Tax breaks for those who donate blood. It sounds like a good idea to me

 

[Viperidae]

I'm almost more concerned with grave space. In Europe they pile coffins deeper and deeper, but in North America every plot is one-deep. Eventually we're going to run out of space.

BURN DEM BODIES DURR.

 

[Stigmata]

There's no reason to not instate an opt-out program. If you actually don't want your organs used, you opt out (maybe with some leeway regarding people who die before they manage to opt out). If you want your organs donated, the work is done for you. If you don't care, your organs are automatically donated in the interest of helping fellow humans.

Grave space is another issue. Cremation doesn't strike me as a very good solution to that problem, though. Doesn't the cremation of a body produce all sorts of waste chemicals and materials that can't be utilised by the ecosystem and/or are specifically harmful to living organisms?

 

[Viperidae]

Barbecue?

 

[Stigmata]

I stand corrected.

 

[Absinthe]

Oh, you can bet your ass that I will be harmful to the environment when I'm done using this husk.

 

[Godron]

I always liked the though that a bit of me will live on when I die.

How about moving registered organ donors to the top of the waiting list? That's as good an incentive as any. Of course, people would have to sign up when they're young if their organs are going to be useful, because old peoples' organs generally aren't in as good nick as fresh young organs. So signing up young would give you a higher priority for whatever transplants you may need when you're older.

I practice I expect it would be too controversial. People would argue discrimination against those who happen to care about their (dead) bodies, which I suppose might be a fair accusation. I'd be equally happy with an opt-out system in that case. As long as the authorities check with the families of those who don't opt out (to check that the person wouldn't have minded), I can't think of much objection to it. It'd certainly bring in plenty of delicious organs from those who never really knew or cared enough about it to opt either way.