German Patient Advocates Urge Politicians to Postpone Organ Donation Reform
The head of the German Patient Protection Foundation, Eugen Brysch, has called on members of the German parliament to delay a reform of the organ donation system before the upcoming federal election. “At the end of the legislative period, there can be no moral sale of organs” Brysch told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland ahead of a planned expert hearing in the Bundestag on the group’s proposal for the introduction of an opt-out solution.
Brysch argued that it is a misconception to believe that the opt-out solution alone would lead to a significant increase in organ donations. Instead, the reform would not increase the number of brain-dead patients and would also be a significant intrusion into the physical integrity of the body. “Legally, this medical procedure without consent would fulfill the condition of bodily harm” he said.
Brysch emphasized that severely ill patients often require intensive care for many days before a brain death diagnosis can be made. “This intensive care of the affected person is then only intended to preserve the organ functions in the interest of potential organ recipients” he lamented. Patients could only prevent such organ-protective measures by actively objecting, according to Brysch.
Instead of a reform, he called for the implementation of the measures agreed upon in 2020 for the current decision-making solution, such as linking the passport and identity card offices to the organ donation central register. He also advocated for stronger financial incentives for hospitals.
On Wednesday, experts are scheduled to testify before the Bundestag’s Health Committee on the cross-party group’s proposal to introduce an opt-out solution. The goal of the proposal is to increase the number of organ donations and reduce the waiting time for a new organ. Currently, organ donation requires active consent from the donor while still alive. A reform would make every citizen an organ donor by default, unless they object. However, it remains unclear whether the reform will even be put to a vote in the Bundestag.