Some Colorado lawmakers say their state should be the first one where people become organ donors by default. Maybe after that, they can set up automatic ballot submissions on election day.
Colorado's proposal, introduced last week, would change the process for renewing driver's licenses and ID cards so applicants are assumed to be organ and tissue donors unless they initial a statement that says they want to opt out. Forgot to check your fine print? Thanks for your gizzards!
The "presumed consent" system is common in Europe and is credited with dramatically raising donation rates, as well as safeguarding their reputation of being guardians of personal liberties. In the U.S., similar approaches have been defeated by lawmakers in Delaware, Illinois and New York. Organ donation advocates are looking to dominate Colorado, where nearly two-thirds of ID holders already volunteer as donors — a higher rate than in any other state.
One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Daniel Pabon, said the change would simply make it easier for people already willing to donate their organs when they die. Easier? Easier than the current system where the DMV asks each applicant? Like, in case they forget thy wanted to donate their organs?
"This takes a bunch of people who otherwise might donate but just get in the DMV and don't want to stand in line, or they forget, and this makes it easier". Shit, I thought I was just being a smart ass about dumbasses who actually forget. And if a few minutes in line is enough to sway you from the gift of life, you weren't going to give it.
Applicants would see a statement that says, "You are automatically deemed to have consented to being an organ and tissue donor and this designation will appear on your driver's license or identification card". Unless they're in a rush or forget that too. Opponents of the Delaware bill called it an intrusion into people's privacy that treats organs as commodities. People against the opt-out method argue presumed consent would force someone to become a donor against their will. Others fear a medical team won't work as hard to save them if there is a greater benefit to harvesting the organs. Or maybe they'll get a government bonus for meeting a harvest quota...
Colorado's proposal, introduced last week, would change the process for renewing driver's licenses and ID cards so applicants are assumed to be organ and tissue donors unless they initial a statement that says they want to opt out. Forgot to check your fine print? Thanks for your gizzards!
The "presumed consent" system is common in Europe and is credited with dramatically raising donation rates, as well as safeguarding their reputation of being guardians of personal liberties. In the U.S., similar approaches have been defeated by lawmakers in Delaware, Illinois and New York. Organ donation advocates are looking to dominate Colorado, where nearly two-thirds of ID holders already volunteer as donors — a higher rate than in any other state.
One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Daniel Pabon, said the change would simply make it easier for people already willing to donate their organs when they die. Easier? Easier than the current system where the DMV asks each applicant? Like, in case they forget thy wanted to donate their organs?
"This takes a bunch of people who otherwise might donate but just get in the DMV and don't want to stand in line, or they forget, and this makes it easier". Shit, I thought I was just being a smart ass about dumbasses who actually forget. And if a few minutes in line is enough to sway you from the gift of life, you weren't going to give it.
Applicants would see a statement that says, "You are automatically deemed to have consented to being an organ and tissue donor and this designation will appear on your driver's license or identification card". Unless they're in a rush or forget that too. Opponents of the Delaware bill called it an intrusion into people's privacy that treats organs as commodities. People against the opt-out method argue presumed consent would force someone to become a donor against their will. Others fear a medical team won't work as hard to save them if there is a greater benefit to harvesting the organs. Or maybe they'll get a government bonus for meeting a harvest quota...
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