France Has Made All Of Its Citizens An Organ Donor

Every citizen in France has now automatically become an organ donor thanks to a new law.

The rule, which came into effect on January 1, sees France follow in the footsteps of Spain and Austria when it comes to 'presumed consent', which means anyone can become an organ donor when they die unless they choose not to.

Image: PA

If French citizens want to take themselves off the list, they will have to sign up to the National Rejection Register, which doctors will check at the time of death before factoring in organ or tissue removal.

The Guardian reports 150,000 have already signed up to the register.

If unable to sign, people can also write a refusal which can be left with a relative, or similarly make on oral testimony to them.

Back in 2008, the UK rejected a system of presumed consent on the grounds that public awareness about organ donation became more important.

In 2015, Wales overturned it and became the first nation in the UK to implement the system.

Image: PA

Everywhere else in the UK must register as a donor.

According to NHS Blood and Transplant, 6,416 people are currently waiting for a transplant in the UK, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.

Source: The Guardian and New York Magazine

Topics: Science

Josh Teal

Josh Teal is a journalist at LADbible. He has contributed to the 'Knowing Me, Knowing EU' and 'UOKM8?' campaigns interviewing everyone from student drug dealers to climate change activists.

@tealioni