BY Ian Dunn | September 18 | 
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Church says organ donation bill undermines the integrity of the person
The Scottish Church has raised concerns over proposed Organ and Tissue Donation (Scotland) Bill saying the Holyrood (above) bill risks ‘undermining the integrity of the person.’
A statement from the Catholic Parliamentary Office on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has made clear its objection to an opt-out system of organ donation as it removes the ‘important principle of consent in our legal system’
The response goes on to state: “The present system recognises the importance of genuine consent in the treatment of persons and the charitable nature of organ donation which is based on a gratuitous act of kindness on behalf of the donor.”
The response also stresses the importance of the role of family members in the consent process and to support a campaign promoting organ donation, provided it is ‘based on free and consensual giving’ stressing that the Catholic Church is ‘an enthusiastic supporter of organ donation’.
The new bill proposes to introduce an opt-out transplant system in Scotland, following the lead of Wales, where it was also opposed by the Church.
Under the Welsh system, which is due to come into force on December 1, next year, the public will have three choices. If you are happy to donate after death, you can register a yes—as you would do now—or simply choose to do nothing. If you do not want to donate, you can ‘opt out’ of the system.
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