"Organ donor" on driver's license

[psu_213]

I recently had to renew my driver's license. On a computer screen I was asked (as I was asked by a similar computer before) if I wanted to be an organ donor and have 'organ donor' printed on my license. (In case you are wondering, I said yes, but I don't hold it against anyone if they say no.)

I have had people tell me this essentially makes you an organ donor should something happen to you--i.e. it cannot be revoked by you family members except under the most extreme situations. I have had others tell me that family can override this, so that your organs are not donated even though you have this on your license. So which is....legally binding or still up to your family?

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Unfortunately some people do this because they can still collect social security checks, pensions, etc. that are meant for the patient. I have seen some families that couldn't care less about the patient just as long as those checks keep coming in.

I know and it disgusts me to the very core.

[Ayvah, RN]

This is a slight tangent, but I just saw a TED video about organ donation, and percentage of organ doners in opt-in versus opt-out countries and how that makes a 60-80% difference in participation.

(Starting at 5:04 he starts talking about organ donation.)

Dan Ariely asks, Are we in control of our own decisions? | Video on TED.com

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

In some cases, I have seen families refuse consent for organ transplant simply because they thought that, if they consented, the hospital staff would either not try to aid the patient or even hasten the death to get those organs. Crazy, but true.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

In some cases, I have seen families refuse consent for organ transplant simply because they thought that, if they consented, the hospital staff would either not try to aid the patient or even hasten the death to get those organs. Crazy, but true.

I have heard that so many times too since Ive been in the US. In fact, I just asked my highly intelligent boyfriend what his thoughts were on that this morning, and he thinks it could happen. Its one thing for some people to think this, the conspiracy nuts. But when very smart people also fall for it, it makes one wonder...I mean, has it actually happened somewhere to even START the rumors?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

But when very smart people also fall for it, it makes one wonder...I mean, has it actually happened somewhere to even START the rumors?

Can't speak to "smart" or "not smart", but IMHO, people watch too many movies with bad medical themes....and then confuse them with 'real life' situations.