Organ Donation Now Automatic Under Scottish Law

All residents of Scotland have overnight become organ donors – regardless of religious or other sociocultural concerns – unless they take steps to opt out of the policy.

In a move that had been scheduled to come into play late last year, but was delayed on the back of COVID-19 related problems, the ‘presumption’ that all those dying within Scotland’s borders are willing to donate their organs to others is set to make headlines across the country in the coming days.

It is also expected to lead to legal challenges.

At present, a mere 1% of registered donors pass away in such a manner as to have their organs in a satisfactory condition for transplant surgery – a figure those backing the new ruling say will now increase.

Prior to today, just over 50% of the population of Scotland were registered as donors.

Any individual wanting to opt out must now go through an online process at the Organ Donation Scotland homepage.