A couple more questions have been lodged today in response to Annette King's previous bizzare answers!

 6402 (2005). Dr Paul Hutchison to the Minister of Health: Is it practice not to accept organs for donation if there are conditions attached; if so under whose direction?

Hon Annette King (Minister of Health) replied: Hon Annette King (Minister of Health) replied: Directed donation of organs is not practised in New Zealand, Australia or England. Internationally the practice is that organ or tissue donation by deceased donors is an unconditional or anonymous act. Donations are gratefully accepted by the health and disability system and allocated to those who are in the best position to benefit from them. This is a clinical practice that has the support of the Ministry of Health

6405 (2005). Dr Paul Hutchison to the Minister of Health: Is it the position of the Minister of Health that transplantable organs be disposed of rather than be used to save lives, if the donor has attached the condition that the organs be offered only (or firstly) to registered organ donors; if so, what is the legal basis for this position?

Hon Annette King (Minister of Health) replied: No.

There have been no families in the past five years that have agreed to donation with conditions attached, that is, directed donation.

The Review of the Regulation of Human Tissue and Tissue-based Therapies Discussion Document sought views on whether the donation of organs or tissues from deceased person should remain unconditional. A clear majority of respondents to this question felt that the new legislative framework should make it clear that the donation of organs and tissues was an 'unconditional gift'.

6409 (2005). Dr Paul Hutchison to the Minister of Health: Would the Minister support or oppose a private effort to promote organ donation by New Zealand citizens where those citizens would direct that their organs be offered first to registered organ donors?

Hon Annette King (Minister of Health) replied: Hon Annette King (Minister of Health) replied: I am supportive of the current allocation system, which allocates organs to people who are in the best position to benefit from them. I would be cautious about an approach that accorded priority on a moral basis, such as entry on an organ donor register, or whether a person had a criminal conviction.