A review of Organ Donation Laws in Various Countries including Organ Donation Rules in Iran
Every country has their own rules and regulations on various matters, specially organ donations. Although organ donation rules vary in different countries, Iran has some in common and some distinct ones in this matter.
Here we may introduce some of these rules in various countries and later we may check Iran’s too. Some of these rules are about minimum and maximum age for donations. some other regulations are set to assess who is eligible to donate or even receive a tissue or an organ, these are all about medical specifications such as:
- blood type
- organ or tissue type
- patients’ specs. such as weight and height
Rules on organ and tissue donation in the Netherlands
The Donor Act regulates organ and tissue donation in the Netherlands. Among other things, it describes the registration procedure for donors and how recipients for organs and tissue are selected.
Minimum age for registering as a donor
Children under 12 may not register as a donor in the Donor Register, nor may anyone else do this on their behalf. Doctors may only use the organs or tissue of a deceased child if they have obtained consent from the child’s parents or guardian.
Teenagers
Young people aged 12 to 15 can register as an organ donor. However, the parents or guardian may object to their child’s wishes on organ donation, even if the child is a registered donor, until the child turns 16.
18-year-olds
Young people not listed on the Register are automatically sent a donor form after their 18th birthday.
Unsuitable donor material and transplant research
If donated organs or tissue turn out to be unsuitable for transplantation, they may only be used for transplant research. If you object to your organs or tissue being used for research purposes, you can make your objection known in the Donor Register.
Identifying transplant recipients
The Organ Centre of the Dutch Transplant Foundation assesses who is eligible to receive an organ or tissue transplant based on medical data such as:
- blood group
- tissue type
- the patient’s height and weight.
The urgency of requirement and waiting times are also taken into consideration.
The international organ trade and transplant tourism
Trafficking in human organs is an offence punishable by a fine or a prison sentence of up to one year.
Transplants may only be carried out by authorised hospitals. In the Netherlands, only university hospitals are authorised to perform transplants. But because the wait for a transplant is usually long, some patients try to find an organ donor abroad.
The Dutch government discourages ‘transplant tourism’, which entails major risks for recipients as well as donors. The quality of organs and tissue may not be ideal. It is possible for patients to become infected by HIV or other viruses through the transplanted organ or tissue.
*SOURCE🙁Rules on organ and tissue donation in the Netherlands)
Rules on organ donation in the United Kingdom
England in the United Kingdom also has its own organ donation law whose recent changes date back to May 2020, in which they say they have made some changes to save more lives.
In the recent changes the UK government assume that you agree to donate your organs in case you died, unless:
- You have already opted out by your choice
- You are below 18 years old
- Or you are excluded from organ donation candidates
The excluded groups are:
- Those under the age of 18
- People who lack the mental capacity to understand the new arrangements and take the necessary action
- Visitors to England, and those not living here voluntarily
- People who have lived in England for less than 12 months before their death
Some may find the new changes a bit harsh or unnecessary but the fact is although there has been a great amount of progression in the fields of organ donation, there is still a big shortage of organ or tissue donors, which makes it necessary for those who are healthy and are in good conditions for organ donation, decide to opt in via the NHS Website.
The UK authority encourages people to register their choices on organ donation and discuss their decision with their family.
Once someone dies, the hospital authorities may review their organ donation preference, whether they have opted in or opted out; if they have opted in, the organ donation processes may start; and if one has opted out and yet they are not excluded by the rules, the authority may still discuss the organ donation possibility with the deceased’s family.
Organ donation regulations in Iran
In Iran, under the supervision of Iran’s organ donation regulations, those who are willing to donate their tissues or organs, may opt in via registering in Organ Donations plans and express their will and permission to donate their organs after their death.
On the other hand, some may not register in organ donation which does not mean they have opted out, but they are not informed about this issue; yet they are good candidates for organ donation after their death; so the authorities may discuss this matter with the deceased’s family to gain their permission for organ donation. Like many other countries Iran has a long waiting list of organ donation patients who are expecting to receive one soon.
Some organs are suitable for donation even when the donor is alive, like special blood cells or some parts of the liver, and those who have two healthy kidneys can still donate one. So if they are willing to donate these organs, they are able to do so just under one condition, which is the donor and receiver have to be close relatives. So a strange donor or donors from other countries are not allowed to donate their organs to Iranians, and the same holds true for Iranian organ donors, donating to foreigners. So priority is given to people on the waiting list.
You can see other health care services provided in IranHealth via this link!
