Should Organ Donation Be Mandatory Upon Death?

The idea of making organ donation mandatory upon death arises from ongoing global efforts to address critical shortages in transplantable organs. Organ donation involves removing healthy organs and tissues from a deceased person to save or improve the lives of others. Currently, many countries operate on either an “opt-in” system, where individuals must explicitly consent to donate, or an “opt-out” system, where consent is presumed unless the person objected during their lifetime. Mandatory organ donation would represent a policy shift where all suitable organs are automatically recovered after death, without requiring prior consent. This concept has been discussed since the mid-20th century as a response to increasing demand for transplants, particularly as medical advancements have made organ transplantation more successful and widespread.