Healthcare Bishop on proposal to introduce 'opt-out' consent for organ donation

Bishop Paul Mason

The Government has launched an open consultation titled: 'Introducing 'opt-out' consent for organ and tissue donation in England'. This consultation will run until 6 March. (If the scheme is adopted, doctors could be allowed to take organs and tissue from patients without asking for their consent.)

Responding to the consultation, Bishop Paul Mason, the Catholic bishop responsible for healthcare, said: "The Government's plans to introduce 'opt-out' consent for organ and tissue donation in England undermine the concept of donation as a gift, and cross the line of what is a reasonable action for the state to take in relation to the individuals within it.

"Moreover, the structure of 'opt-out' consent doesn't necessarily succeed. This system was introduced in Wales in December 2015. Since then there has in fact been a slight decrease in organ transplants in Wales, compared with an increase in England over the same period.

"When an 'opt-out' system is implemented for organ donation, it is no longer a gift. Voluntary organ donation is an intrinsic good and something I'd encourage all people to consider."

In October 2014, Pope Francis said: 'Organ donation is a testimony of love for our neighbour'

See: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/25737

* See a link to the consultation here: https://engage.dh.gov.uk/organdonation/ *