France does opt out for organ donation

The Independent reports:

Every citizen in France has automatically become an organ donor unless they decide to opt out, due to a significant change in the law.

The new rules, which came into effect on 1 January, sees France’s policy align with a number of European countries such as Spain and Austria, where “presumed consent” means anyone can become a donor of organs and tissues when they die unless they specifically choose not to.

While in NZ, you can’t even opt in. You can tick the box on the drivers’ licence saying you want to donate, but the doctors won’t even bother checking what your wishes are unless they are asked to by your family (who can over-ride your decision).

No surprise we have such an anemic rate of organ donation. The system is set up to make it hard to be a donor.