Interesting thread. I hope people realise that the post before this one is of comedic value and to be taken tongue in cheek. Lots of fears about insurance companies and money and wether or not a donor is dead when brain activity ceases. And a few who don't think being a donor is worth it as well flung in for good measure.
Well, here in the UK it's entirley different. Sure, there's still an organ shortage and the "presumed consent" bill is still trying to be passed in Parliament. There are some for, and some against. To be expected.
The difference here is there are no insurance companies to complicate matters and organs are received on a "best match gets it first" basis with no regard to colour, religon or race. If you're in need and an organ is available, you will get it. I come from this on a personal level as i've received two kidney transplants in my life, one when I was young and another in the 90's. Without a transplant it's quite possible I would not be around today as kidney dialysis is not a long term fix. I wouldn't have been able to go to university or achived the things that I have without a transplant. Of course, it all depends on your point of view wether you decide to be a donor or not but let me just say that for me, it was the greatest gift received. I know in the USA money is God but it shouldn't be. Organ donation is the gift of life and that's what it should be, a gift.

The problem I have with organ donation is that the person DONATES organs. But the doctors and hospitals make money off the organs and the procedures.
So why shouldn't the person's family giving the organs be able to to receive some money, instead of it being illegal?

Secondly, I am donating my body to science. Rather learn to prevent the diseases then just do an organ transplant.

wow... I think I can understand the reasons some naivity involved the OP wanting to show a form of Human compassion, however - as I'm sure the majority of the members on this site will agree - the OP must come to terms with it.

Hazard to let me just frankly inform you Mr. coolkid, about what Government and Big Med does with Joe Flu when he goes to the hospital and is a registered organ doner... ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL....

most likely nothing... if Joe Flu has a concerned group of folks who are with him a lot, like wives, moms, friends...

other than that, Joe Flu will end up with complications not forseen by the physician attending him, and his next of kin will be notified ASAP of Joe flu's demise - oh how sudden it was!!

When the next of kin shows up ASAP they were notified of Joe flu's Demise - low and behold, joe flu is GONE!... already on the gernie in the butcher's den, with about half of their entire stock of fresh body parts already wrapped and tagged for shipping...

OH HOW SAD MRS. FLU, for YOU!.... next....

In retrospect, If you haven't seen the movie "the Island", go rent it, it will be an eye opener for you, that is if you can reach beyond the premise of the theme and see if anything about it can apply to today's world as we know it.


Other than that, I really really really really hope that the OP wasn't baiting the ATS membership with this post, I really really really really do...