Increasing The Supply Of Donor Organs Within The European Union

Evidence taken before Sub-committee G (Social Policy and Consumer Affairs).

In May 2007, the European Commission issued a communication relating to organ donation and transplantation. This made a number of proposals for actions which were designed to help increase the supply of donor organs across the EU. The two major elements were: first, the introduction of a directive aimed at setting standards for the quality and safety of organ donation and transplantation across the EU; and, second, the establishment of an action plan for closer cooperation between Member States in sharing experiences and best practice. This Report brings together evidence relating to the Commission's proposals and draws conclusions about their merits. It also sets out evidence received about a range of matters relating to organ donation which are not within Community competence but which are of central relevance to the shortage of organs for donation: the Organ Donation Taskforce's recent recommendations for the re-organisation of the health infrastructure in the UK; and the proposal, by the Chief Medical Officer for England, that current legislation in England should be changed in order to create a "presumed consent" or "opt-out" system for organ donation in place of the existing "opt-in" system. The Committee's conclusion is that the proposals set out in the Commission's communication would help to raise the numbers of organs available for transplantation as well as the overall safety and quality of those organs. The proposed directive should not be overly bureaucratic and should not inhibit the application of expert clinical judgement and informed patient choice.

These past years, the media have focused public attention on malpractice in the field of organ donation, with the risk of forgetting that organ donation provides an extraordinary hope of saving lives and gives a splendid example of human solidarity. Transplantation was made possible by the development of scientific and medical knowledge together with the dedication of skilled teams throughout Europe. The shortage of organs and tissue is the key factor for all the problems within the system: the size of the European Union will help to deal with this reality and requires the cooperation of medical teams, dispatching organisms and public health authorities at the European level. The transparency of a faultless organization, from the technical and ethical points of view will increase the public's support of organ donation and decrease organ shortage. The development of the European Union, resulting in free movement within the international market, makes harmonisation of the donation system unavoidable. From the Introduction by Magda de Galan, Belgian Minister of Health.

The European Union Committee report on increasing the supply of donor organs within the EU (HL 123-I, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780104013168) welcomed the EU Commission's communication, believing the proposed actions would increase the number of organs available for transplantation as well as the overall safety and quality of those organs. The report also dealt with matters outside Community competence, but of central relevance to the shortage of organs for donation. This Government response to the conclusions and recommendations contains chapters on: shortage of donors across the EU; the proposed EU directive relating to organ quality and safety; organisation of organ donation and transplantation services; patient care issues - organ donors and recipients; alternative forms for donor consent; ethnic and cultural aspects; the views of faith groups.

A proposal for resolving tensions between professionals and society regarding tissue for transplants and research, while properly protecting donors' interests.

Additional written evidence is contained in Vol. 2, available on the Committee website at www.parliament.uk/welshcom

Transplantation is a medically successful and cost-effective way to treat people whose organs have failed--but not enough organs are available to meet demand. T. M. Wilkinson explores the major ethical problems raised by policies for acquiring organs. Key topics include the rights of the dead, the role of the family, and the sale of organs.