This is an issue that has come up again in the last few days thanks to Gordon Brown’s enlightened comments on the subject. As a result of the news around the issue, the predictable complaints have appeared using such dirty phrases as “set a dangerous precedent” or “the thin end of the wedge”. One writer appearing on the letters page of today’s Metro here in London even goes so far as to say “Presuming Consent is dangerous and not consistent with the values we often talk about in this country.” The only value that modern Britain epitomises and that this concept is inconsistent with as far as I can see is that of selfishness. Surely that’s all that refusing consent for organ donation is? I realise many people feel they have good reasons, but when they are refusing to allow something to happen for other peoples benefit, what other word is appropriate?
The most bizarre argument, however, appears to be that presumed consent is “an infringement of our freedom to practise our faiths”, and similar wording that appears elsewhere. How can that be? It is true that it is an idea that doesn’t follow the way of thinking of every minority, and is not likely to be agreed on by everyone, but it is hardly a policy of enforcement either. When a policy is created that follows the thinking of the majority, benefits a vast number of people, and only requires those who disagree to sign a form to say they opt out, with no stigma whatsoever attached to that, how on earth can the policy be seen to be infringing on anyone’s freedom? This sort of argument surely is religious selfishness gone mad. One’s own freedom to be able to practise one’s religion does not require that no work at all has to go in to that. Would a Muslim try to argue that having to ask for leave to pray during an extended meeting would be unreasonable, rather he should be able to simply walk out of the room?
Of course, it is important that, given an opt out scheme, the individual opting should not be required to specify why he is opting out. At that point it is reasonable to believe that people are being forced to share information that they might wish to keep private.
