Organ donation Are we all automatically donated?

New bill should make all to organ donors who do not contradict

Anyone who does not object will automatically become an organ donor - which is already the law in many European countries, should now also be implemented in Germany. At least if Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn can prevail with this proposal. This model is intended to counteract the ever-decreasing number of organ donations. In 2017, a new low has been reached. Only 797 organ donations were recorded, but around 10,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ.

The German Society for Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN) is now commenting on this proposal and is in favor of this solution. "These figures are impressive proof that the previous system of organ donation needs to be improved," says Professor. Uwe Janssens, chief physician and general secretary of DGIIN in a press release on the new organ donation concept.

A sad low: in 2017 not even 800 organs were donated. Around 10,000 needy people are waiting for a saving donor organ. (Image: benschonewille / fotolia.com)

Many people are in favor of the new organ donation solution

In a recent survey conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), 72 percent of the participants expressed their willingness to donate organs. But only every second respondent had an organ donor card. Under current law, only one donor organ may be removed if there is a donor card. If in doubt, the relatives can also decide on a possible donation. The new organ donation contradiction solution is now to reverse this process.

Simple or double?

Federal Health Minister Spahn prefers a double variant in which the relatives still have the right of opposition before the organs are removed. However, the majority of DGIIN members advocated a simple dispute resolution in which only the donor can contradict himself during his lifetime. Whether simple or double - both variants would significantly increase the number of donor organs. According to the BzgA survey, only 14 percent of respondents reject organ removal in principle.

The DGIIN stands behind the concept

As the company reports, in the poll a large majority of the members were in favor of the organ donation dispute resolution. The DGIIN goes one step further and demands a complete package with further measures and a corresponding social discussion. The contradictory solution alone is not yet sufficient to bring about a turnaround in transplantation medicine, so the opinion of the experts.

Not only the will counts

Among other things, the DGIIN physicians see an urgent need for improvement in the clinic's internal processes. Often organ harvesting fails not only because of the will of the donor, but also because of the complex processes within the medical system and the increasing staff shortage in the hospitals. "As a professional society, we therefore welcome another bill," stresses Janssens. A new law would have to strengthen the transplant officer, compensate for the expenses for organ removal better and ensure opportunities to detect an irreversible brain function failure in a timely and comprehensive coverage, summed up the chief physician.

A passive decision

The new contradiction solution is to bring about a decision for those who do not actively decide. Since most people do not refuse to donate organs, but do not take action to get a donor card, the bill aims to postpone the passive decision in favor of organ harvesting. DGIIN President Professor dr. Stefan John calls for a broad social debate in which concerns are also taken seriously. In addition, it must be ensured that everyone knows his possibility of contradiction. (Vb)