The need for increasing the retrieval of organs : doctors’ attitudes towards opting-out

Abstract

Some countries have introduced the opting-out system of organ donation as a way of increasing the number of available organs for transplants. Public opinion is divided on this issue and so are medical recommendations. While some claim that opting-out is the only way forward to increase the harvesting of organs and transplants, others claim that the decision whether or not to donate the organs of a dead relative should be a voluntary decision taken by the next of kin. In this paper, five doctors who are directly involved in organ donation or transplantation in Malta were interviewed on the issue of the harvesting of organs. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed. The interviewees concur that since the rate of refusals is still low in Malta, the opt-in system which is currently in practice should be retained.