Campaigners back ‘opt-out’ system

CAMPAiGNerS today backed the organ donation discussion at a oneday event in Glasgow.

Peter Storey, a Director at Kidney research uK, said: “With 7000 people in the uK in need of a kidney transplant and 300 dying every year while waiting for an organ, Kidney research uK welcomes any initiative which promotes discussion around organ donation.

“Like the Scottish Patients’ Association and evening Times, we support a ‘soft’ system of presumed consent, where people can choose to opt out of becoming donors and families have the final say as to whether any organs are removed.

“it’s also important to remember that transplants do not last forever and do not cure kidney disease, so we need much more funding for research aimed at finding better treatments.”

BMA Scotland said it welcomed the conference, which will raise awareness on the issues surrounding organ donation

A spokeswoman said: “Patients are sick and dying whilst they wait f o r t r a n s p l a n t s. We must find new ways to increase the number of organs available to those who desperately need them and we believe that an opt-out system would better allow that to happen.”

Sandra White, Glasgow SNP MSP, who sup- ports our Opt for Life campaign, said the conference showed Glasgow was at the forefront on the issue.

Ms White said: “Glasgow is becoming a world leader on pushing this issue largely because of the evening Times’ campaign. i think a one day conference like this is the way forward. it is a great start.”