Organs consent 'wasteful'

20.09.2003

Getting family consent to use children's or adults' body organs or parts for donation is unnecessary, misguided and leads to wasted valuable organs, an Auckland doctor says.
Dr Martin Wilkinson, a senior lecturer in community health at Auckland University, told a medical conference in Wellington that parental consent for organ donation was over-rated.
His comments, reported in New Zealand GP this week, have highlighted concern about a shortage of donor organs in New Zealand, an issue that the Health Ministry is addressing. Dr Wilkinson said avoiding distress to parents was less important than saving lives.
It was also hard to see why families could veto the use of organs from relatives who were registered donors.
Families made the most noise, the deceased did not complain and potential recipients were not present.
"But this is only an explanation, not a defence."
Transplant specialist Professor Justin Roake, head of the Department of Surgery at Christchurch School of Medicine, said Dr Wilkinson's comments were valid.