Call for new approach to organ donation

JEWS ARE sometimes perceived as being “takers rather than givers” when it comes to donating organs, according to speakers at a public meeting to discuss proposed law changes.

The session was part of a government consultation, which is considering changing the method of organ donation from the current opt-in system to an opt-out version.

Jackie Doyle-Price, a minister in the Department of Health, and Sally Johnson, director of organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant attended the meeting at North Western Reform Synagogue (Alyth) in Finchley last Thursday.

Rabbi Josh Levy told the audience of around 40 people that groups including the Board of Deputies, the Office of the Chief Rabbi, and Orthodox synagogues were against the opt-out move.

He said: “I have personally been very troubled by that. Because for me that position seems to be counter to one of the most important Jewish values — the value of pikuach nefesh of saving life.

“To speak out against a change in policy which can save lives seems to me to be counter to Jewish values, but also certainly doesn’t represent a unanimous voice within the Jewish world.”

Several members of the audience, who had either been the beneficiaries of organs or had close family members who had benefited, spoke out against the apparent reluctance of some within the Strictly Orthodox community to donate organs after death, although they were willing to receive such organs.

Participants said that the perception that Jews were “takers rather than givers” was very distressing.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “It’s quite clear we’re missing out on a lot of organs because families don’t know that their loved ones would wish to donate.

“What I really want everyone to do is to make sure that your family, your friends and all your loved ones know what your wishes are, because that’s the most important thing.”

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