NeoConMan Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Dr. Mengele would be so proud! Whatever happened to choice? Decisions are made everyday, by the thousands, on how much care to give critical patients. What if your parts are wanted more than YOU are? Proposal: All New Yorkers Become Organ Donors Assemblyman Brodsky Introduces Bill That Would Give State The Right To Decide If You Are To Give The Gift Of Life If Passed In Albany, Law Would Be First Of Its Kind In The United States NEW YORK (CBS) ? Organ donation has become a vital way to save lives around the world, but a vast shortage of donors continues to mean people are losing their lives while on waiting lists. But there is a unique proposal that could change all that. New York State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky nearly lost his daughter, Willie, at 4 years old when she needed a kidney transplant, and again 10 years later when her second kidney failed. "We have 10,000 New Yorkers on the list today waiting for organs. We import half the organs we transplant. It is an unacceptable failed system," Brodsky said. To fix that, Brodsky introduced a new bill in Albany that would enroll all New Yorkers as an organ donor, unless they actually opt out of organ donation. It would be the first law of its kind in the United States. "Overseas, 24 nations have it. Israel has it. Others have it. And it works without a lot of controversy," Brodsky said. Currently one of the biggest obstacles to being a donor is while 9 out of 10 are favorable to it only 1 out of 10 is signed up to be a donor. On Wednesday, the New York Organ Donor Network honored families who've donated the organs of loved ones with a planting ceremony at New York Botanical Gardens. Jean Carnevale had a timely talk about organ donation with her 27-year-old son before he died in a fatal car accident. "Michael and I had a conversation two weeks prior on the way to a family member's funeral," Carnevale said. And Emily Melendez and her siblings made the choice for their 68-year-old mother. "Although I lost my mom, she lives on in three other people," Melendez said. "The thing about organ donor is we have the cure right now in our hands. It's not like trying to cure cancer," said Elaine Berg of the Organ Donor Network. Legal experts said if the law is passed, it will likely face challenges in court from family members or some religious groups. "I think it's a little heavy handed. I think we should have the right to choose that," said Rachel Rogers of Crown Heights. But many are hoping this law will help people to make a choice -- one way or the other. Currently, you can make your organ donation wishes known by signing the back of your driver's license, signing up online or through a health care proxy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 I am a donor as well. It's in my will, and my family knows my wishes. But first responders will have no way of knowing. Why? One of the TV "news magazines" like 20/20 or 60 Minutes did a story on this over 20 years ago. Turns out that some accident victims were found to be organ donors from the ID in their pocket. First responders have several critically wounded people to treat. They have to start with one, and relegate the others to waiting for more help - who do they choose? Turns out the organ donors were made second, since their organs could be used if they died. How benevolent and thoughtful, eh? I'm not accusing first responders of anything (I trained a bit myself) but I want that choice to be made by somebody with MY interests in mind. If I have a chance to live, I wanna KEEP my stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Anyone remember the movie "Coma?" ;>) Organ donation, by choice, is great! Otherwise, it's ripe for abuse...IMHO. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldiablo Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 I'll gladly donate my middle finger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowdiddley Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Anyone remember the movie "Coma?" ;>) Organ donation' date=' [i']by choice[/i], is great! Otherwise, it's ripe for abuse...IMHO. CB Being a Liver transplant recipient I will say that CB is right on the mark with his statement. I FULLY believe EVERYONE should be listed as a willing donor, but I don't think ANYONE should be forced to donate anything, much less an organ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Looks like the choice is still there. You just have to choose not to participate, and put it in writing. Probably a good alternative since 90% are for it, but 80% won't take the time to sign the back of their driver's license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmiJAMM Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 As a New Yorker and human being, this is BS. The Government shall not harvest my organs, dead or alive, without my consent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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