Do you think family members should have the right to pick whether or not a deceased relative of their becomes an organ donor?

[Anonymous]

Updates

9 mo

It may be a family member but it’s still not their body

[abc3643]

Yes and no.
If the deceased has a will AND explicitly states their wishes regarding organ donation, then their wishes should be honored.
However, if the deceased is intestate (legal term for doesn't have a will), then the executor or next of kin should decide about organ donation. I would approve legislation that, by default, a person is an organ donor unless the person explicitly states they will not be in their will.

[WindAtMyBack]

I don't know how widespread it is, but in my state they ask about organ donations when you get your driver's license. Since they always ask, if it's not on your license then it means you turned it down. The family should not override that unless you have given explicit instructions elsewhere.

If no instructions were given one way or the other, I don't really have a problem with the family deciding to donate the organs. You'll be dead, so it's not like you're going to know.

People really should have wills, living wills, power of attorney, etc. They should discuss the details of what they want with their family. In the US, something like 2/3 of people die without a will. This puts additional burdens on the family and probably adds additional costs. You should let them know what you want, in different scenarios. It makes it so much easier for them when you die, and reduces the horrible experience of them having to make life-and-death decisions on your behalf. They should not have to go through that.

Those advanced directives, as they are called, are sooo easy to do. You don't need a lawyer for routine documents. There are a bunch on online forms and wizards you can use. Just do it, no matter what your age.

[Chazmatazz269]

If someone doesn’t make that choice known before their death, yes, the person responsible for managing their affairs after their death absolutely has that right.
It’s actually really easy to create and modify a will and trust. Most people don’t because they’re ignorant, not because it’s inaccessible or prohibitively expensive.

[purplepoppy]

Yes. The organ donar has simply expressed that it's OK to take the organs not that it's compulsive. They are expressing a wish not a command.

The issue is people tend to be very emotional when relatives die. Many can't cope with the idea of them being dissected for spare parts. In these cases I'm sure the deceased would understand if they can't carry out their wishes

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Well, if they’re dead and a match, I can see why they would pick them

[FunkyMonkee]

No, that right goes to the person whose body it was.

[Sal_Monella]

If the deceased broached the in their will, that presides. If not, the estate executor can decide.

[zombiewoof]

If the deceased has not already decided to be one then yes they should

[Ariesman81]

@zombiewoof

If my license doesn't have the organ donor sticker it means I've chosen not to be... not that I didn't decide.

[exitseven]

This is why people have living will.

[Agape93]

Nope.

[loveyouoak]

No, I don't.

[In_Trance]

I don't think so