§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to seek to enable the donation of kidneys and similar organs for transplant to be based on a contracting-out rather than a contracting-in system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleAlthough the introduction of a contracting-out system for organ donation could lead to some improvement in the supply of kidneys, the present legislation is not as restrictive as is often assumed and is not, I believe, the major cause of the current shortage of kidneys for transplantation. Probably the more important single factor contributing to this shortage is the failure of doctors to identify potential donors and set in motion the process of organ removal. Lack of public awareness of the need for more kidneys also contributes, although to a lesser extent, to the shortage.
Evidence of public acceptance of a contracting-out system is doubtful. Organ donation is a delicate issue, which involves deep-rooted religions, social and cultural factors, and to override these may do more harm than good. However, I would welcome public debate on this issue and my Department intends to publish next year a discussion document, setting out the arguments for and against amending present legislation governing the donation of kidneys for transplant.