Ethical Debate: Opt-Out System for Organ Donation in Australia

This discussion board post presents a student's debate on the adoption of an opt-out organ donation system in Australia. The student argues in favor of the opt-out system, providing two affirmative points that address ethical concerns regarding autonomy, freedom of choice, human rights, and dignity. The student uses examples and references ethical theories, the code of nursing ethics, and the principles of beneficence and common good to strengthen their arguments. The assignment includes rebuttals against the negative speaker's points, aiming to engage the audience. The debate also provides statistics and comparisons with other countries that have adopted similar systems. The student's arguments are supported by in-text citations in APA format and demonstrate a clear understanding of the ethical complexities surrounding organ donation.

Running head: HEALTH CARE ETHICS 1
Health Care Ethics
Student name:
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Author’s note

HEALTH CARE ETHICS 2
Let me point out the recent statistics that can provide clear understanding about the actual
problem. The statistical analysis provides a clear picture about the organ donation scenario in
Australia. Roughly, 12,000 Australians are seen to suffer while waiting in the list of organ
transplantation or dialysis (Tarrant, 2017). Unfortunately, I discovered six Australians would die
while expecting an organ transplant, reminding others about the serious limitations of healthcare
system in Australia (Citerio et al. 2016). The statistics put us on raising the question, whether
this organ donation system is a mere indication of failure of the Australian Government to
implement suitable legislation for overcoming the social apathy towards organ donation
registration. Hence, I can strongly suggest prevailing system in organ donation program fails to
meet the differences between organ available for transplantation and the transplantation waiting
list.
The ethical theory surrounding medical profession principle of “do no harm” gained
prominence in regards to organ donation (Shacham et al. 2018). In that scenario, I can conclude
that the moral way of removing organ from an individual is justified if the donor chooses to
undergo harm due to surgery for helping others and ensure sufficient medical benefit to recipient,
ensuring common good. Argument on the basis of social contract theory and even with the
sociological approach, on the basis “common good” can support the mentioned system.
However, the existing ethical concern can be raised while implementation of such system. Thus,
it is for the people like us within the society to make choice between common good and ethics
and the answer may not be obvious in certain places where religion supersede the right to live or
die (Aph.gov.au, 2018). Based on the nursing ethics, it becomes important to understand the
nursing ethics as Beneficence, relating to reluctance of healthcare professional to donate organs
such as kidney or liver in a comatose patient.

HEALTH CARE ETHICS 3
Despite opt in organ donation process in Australia, the country ranks 20 on the global
platform for organ donation. International studies have found, use of opt out system for organ
donation increased the donation rates by 50% (Tarrant, 2017). Let me cite example of European
countries, such as Spain, it can be seen that Spain ranks at the top of organ donation charts for
the last 20 years. Use of Spanish model sustains the high rates of organ transplantation and
guesses what; they have implemented the same model that we are yet to adopt. Notwithstanding
the possible advantages of opt out system for individuals within organ transplant list;
implementation of the same demands compliance to several ethical issues. The Australian law
states the fact there is no property within the body of a dead individual. Hence, the possible
potential for negative result upon the justice of an individual must be taken under consideration.
The prevailing proponents in regards to consent suggests that implementation of opt out system
can improve the aspect of individual justice (Aph.gov.au, 2018).
Addition of opt out scope for opposing organ recovery from the deceased can reduce the
chances of misinterpretation in regards to consent. The provision of opt out system should be
made clear for limiting the negative impact over the marginalised population within the
community (Optn.transplant.hrsa.gov, 2016). I strongly suggest that opt out system should be
adopted in Australia and the ones which are not adequately informative are subjected to legal
challenge. Additionally, opt out system is not enough for justifying presumption of organ
donation agreement. This can lead to assumption that those who did not choose opt out method
provided the consent of organ recovery of death. We would thus be violating the basic rights of
citizens which is highly unacceptable (Ladin, 2016)
On the other hand, one can clearly state the fact presumed consent suggests
implementation of opt out system can enhance the level of individual good (Silva et al. 2018). It

HEALTH CARE ETHICS 4
can be strongly suggested implementation of soft approach can be prefaced by the
comprehensive education program focusing on healthcare professionals and even general public.
In addition to the mentioned legislations, I feel that Australia should work on adopting
individualistic approach in regards to organ donation, as described by the “Spanish model”
(Tarrant, 2017). ANZICS is seen to support the view that objection by the family members in
regards to conflict of interest should be respected. ANZICS does not endorse any sort of pressure
on the donor and hence, provides a clear understanding to the fact that the scenario of organ
donation in Australia is changing (Aph.gov.au, 2018). Conclusively, Australia should understand
the possible ways for implementing the changes unless the government continues to bridge the
gap between those required and available for the transplantation of organs.

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References
Aph.gov.au (2018) The future of organ donation in Australia: moving beyond the ‘gift of life’ –
Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 4 September 2019, from
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/
Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0809/09rp11
Citerio, G., Cypel, M., Dobb, G. J., Dominguez-Gil, B., Frontera, J. A., Greer, D. M., ... &
Wijdicks, E. F. (2016). Organ donation in adults: a critical care perspective. Intensive
care medicine, 42(3), 305-315.
Optn.transplant.hrsa.gov (2016) Ethics of deceased organ donor recovery - OPTN. Retrieved 5
September 2019, from https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/resources/ethics/ethics-of-
deceased-organ-donor-recovery/
Ladin, K. (2016). Organ donation as a collective action problem: ethical considerations and
implications for practice. AMA journal of ethics, 18(2), 156-162.
Shacham, E., Loux, T., Barnidge, E. K., Lew, D., & Pappaterra, L. (2018). Determinants of
organ donation registration. American Journal of Transplantation, 18(11), 2798-2803.
Silva, V. S., Tranmer, J., Schirmer, J., Dhanani, S., Almost, J., Schafer, M., & Roza, B. (2018).
Understanding the Influence of Inter-Professional Relational Networks within Organ
Donation Programs in Ontario: a Research Protocol and Preliminary
Results. Transplantation, 102.

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Tarrant, D. (2017). Organ donation – should Australia adopt an opt-out system?. Retrieved 4
September 2019, from https://ama.com.au/ausmed/organ-donation-%E2%80%93-should-
australia-adopt-opt-out-system