An ethical defense of a mandated choice consent procedure for deceased organ donation

Journal article


Symons, Xavier and Poulden, Billy. (2022). An ethical defense of a mandated choice consent procedure for deceased organ donation. Asian Bioethics Review. 14(3), pp. 259-270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-022-00206-5
AuthorsSymons, Xavier and Poulden, Billy
Abstract

Organ transplant shortages are ubiquitous in healthcare systems around the world. In response, several commentators have argued for the adoption of an opt-out policy for organ transplantation, whereby individuals would by default be registered as organ donors unless they informed authorities of their desire to opt-out. This may potentially lead to an increase in donation rates. An opt-out system, however, presumes consent even when it is evident that a significant minority are resistant to organ donation. In this article, we defend a mandated choice framework for consent to deceased organ donation. A mandated choice framework, coupled with good public education, would likely increase donation rates. More importantly, however, a mandated choice framework would respect the autonomous preferences of people who do not wish to donate. We focus in particular on the Australian healthcare context, and consider how a mandated choice system could function as an ethical means to increase the organ donation rate in Australia. We make the novel proposal that all individuals who vote at an Australian federal election be required to state their organ donation preferences when voting.

Keywordsorgan donation; consent; opt-in system; opt-out system; mandated choice; autonomy
Year2022
JournalAsian Bioethics Review
Journal citation14 (3), pp. 259-270
PublisherSpringer
ISSN1793-8759
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-022-00206-5
PubMed ID35791333
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85129137336
PubMed Central IDPMC9250577
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range259-270
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online29 Apr 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted27 Mar 2022
Deposited21 Jul 2023
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