Proposal: All New Yorkers Become Organ Donors

[Hazcat]

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


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. We have more information here.

http://wcbstv.com/health/ny.organ.donor.2.1662437.html

[Texas_Bryan]

I've no idea how it actually works, but I've been told by mother, works in the OR, that EMTs are less inclined to save, revive, you if your an organ donor and they know, in the case of a driver license markings.  I don't put organ donor authorization on my person, but my family knows to OK the action on my behalf.

[Solus]

Why not just take the organs without authorization?


If it is morally wrong to do something, passing a law allowing it to be done doesn't make it right, just legal.

[Timothy]

I've been a donor my entire adult life and I was when I was run over a few years ago.  The EMT's cared for me better than the ER docs did according to my wife.  It wasn't until I got into the hospital that they tried to kill me!  Obviously, as of this writing, they failed!

It's New York....who cares!

[MikeBjerum]

I have my opinions on donation, and others have theirs.  That is great.  However, this law is just flat out wrong!  I'm sure this one will never see application.  Even if they pass it, the courts will toss it before the ink dries.

But, look out if it does go through and lasts challenges, because it will open Pandora's Box of total government control of our bodies and lives.  I can't believe that anyone would think this is a wise step for the government to take.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

I have my opinions on donation, and others have theirs.  That is great.  However, this law is just flat out wrong!  I'm sure this one will never see application.  Even if they pass it, the courts will toss it before the ink dries.

But, look out if it does go through and lasts challenges, because it will open Pandora's Box of total government control of our bodies and lives.  I can't believe that anyone would think this is a wise step for the government to take.

[/b][/color]

Oh, Our Government would NEVER do something GM like that. banking industry

[Solus]

You know, with ObamaCare looking out for us and keeping everyone and their organs well and healthy by Government Decree, it might not be a big step for Gov. to begin to think they owned all those healthy organs.

[Dakotaranger]

This is the very definition of tyranny, when the government can begin to tell someone what can be done with your body, you are a slave to the state.  Where is NOW, NRAL, Planned Parenthood on this? If it becomes law it would have to be thrown out because of Roe.

[tombogan03884]

This is the very definition of tyranny, when the government can begin to tell someone what can be done with your body, you are a slave to the state.  Where is NOW, NRAL, Planned Parenthood on this? If it becomes law it would have to be thrown out because of Roe.

I'm not familiar with the wording of the Roe decision, if this is correct I'm going to invest in popcorn , so I can sit back and watch the fur fly.
This should be fun  

[Pathfinder]

Why not just take the organs without authorization?


If it is morally wrong to do something, passing a law allowing it to be done doesn't make it right, just legal.

Yet another thing we learned form the Germans in the last century (autobahns/interstates, Goebbels' rules for lies and population manipulation, et al.)  - make any abusive action you want legal, and then everyone else will shrug it off as - well, it's legal!