Under the revised law voted on May 15, all Swiss people after death can become organ donors, unless they object to it in advance.
In the latest survey, 80% of Swiss support the idea. The new regulation marks a drastic change in the current system. In the past, organs were only taken from a person who agreed to donate while he was still alive. However, most people who die have no will to donate organs, the decision now rests with their families, who will most likely object.
This is the reason why organ resources are scarce, people in need of transplant have to wait in vain without surgery. By the end of 2021, Switzerland has more than 1,400 patients waiting for an organ transplant. Meanwhile, only 166 people decided to donate organs. A total of 484 organs from the deceased were transplanted. About 72 people died while waiting for surgery, according to Swisstransplant.
To overcome the shortage of donated organs, the government and Parliament want to change the law to a model of “presumptive consensus”, which has been applied in a number of other European countries. Accordingly, those who do not want to donate organs must clarify their wishes while alive. The rest, everyone will be defaulted as an organ donor upon death. Relatives may object if it is known that the deceased did not intend to donate organs. Those who cannot contact their relatives are not allowed to take organs.
A doctor performs heart transplant surgery at the Inselspital hospital in Bern, Switzerland. Image: Keystone
Under that system, those who do not wish to donate organs must make their wishes known while they are alive. The rest, everyone will be defaulted as an organ donor upon death. Relatives may object if it is known that the deceased did not intend to donate organs. Those who cannot contact their relatives are not allowed to take organs.
Despite receiving consensus, the new law still raises controversy on ethical aspects. Some argue that many people may unknowingly become organ donors (even if they don’t want to) because they don’t know about the new law. They belong to groups with precarious social positions and language barriers.
Opponents say the new law will put pressure on the identity of the deceased, who dare not refuse organ donation, fearing that it will be seen as selfish.
Thuc Linh (According to AFP)
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here
