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Presumed consent of organ donation is 'Orwellian' according to Kirk publication

Plans for a system of presumed consent for organ donation have "Orwellian" undertones, with the risk of bodies becoming a collection of spare parts according to the Church of Scotland's magazine.

A taskforce is currently examining whether the UK should change the current system of donation to allow the removal of organs from dead patients unless they had specifically "opted out" during their lifetime. Among those who have indicated support for such a move are prime minister Gordon Brown and first minister Alex Salmond.

However, writing in April's issue of the Church of Scotland's Life And Work magazine, editor Muriel Armstrong argued that many felt there was already too much interference by government, and ownership of the body with its "Orwellian undertones" would be a step too far.

She stated: "The prospect that our bodies, which have been the temple of the soul', being a mere collection of spare parts akin to a used car lot and wholly owned in death by the government is abhorrent."

Full story at the Sunday Herald.