Religion and organ donation: the views of UK faith leaders.

This article reports the findings from the one-to-one interviews with the main UK faith and belief leaders which were commissioned by the Organ Donation Taskforce as part of its evidence gathering. Interviews were arranged with the main faith and belief organisations within the UK. Interviews covered a range of issues related to organ donation. Although some faith groups had some reservations regarding organ donation, interviews with these leaders demonstrated that none of these faith groups have reached a consensus against organ donation. The interviewees stated that the majority opinion in their faith or belief group is to permit organ donation, with some actively supporting it. Interviewees were keen to stress that there is a broad spectrum of opinion on organ transplantation within each faith and belief group and that consequently it is difficult to speak on behalf of an entire group. One complication mentioned by interviewees is that as organ transplantation is a relatively new medical procedure, there is no explicit reference to it in many original religious texts. Consequently, positions on the receipt and donation of organs are based on interpretation. It was felt that a much greater level of engagement is needed, as organ donation is currently not a priority for many faith and belief groups.

Faith leaders united in their support for organ donation: findings from the UK Organ Donation Taskforce study.

SUMMARY: This article reports the findings from the one-to-one interviews with the main UK faith and belief leaders, which were commissioned by the Organ Donation Taskforce. Interviews were arranged with the main faith and belief organizations within the UK and covered a range of issues related to organ donation. No faith or belief groups were against organ donation in principle. The interviewees stated that the majority opinion in their faith or belief group is to permit organ donation, with some actively supporting it. Interviewees were keen to stress that there is a broad spectrum of opinions on organ transplantation within each faith and belief group, and that consequently it is difficult to speak on behalf of an entire group. One complication mentioned by interviewees is that as organ transplantation is a relatively new medical procedure, there is no explicit reference to it in many original religious texts. Consequently positions on the receipt and donation of organs are based on interpretation. It was felt that a much greater level of engagement is needed, as organ donation is currently not a priority for many faith and belief groups.

'Opting-in or opting-out?'--the views of the UK's faith leaders in relation to organ donation.

INTRODUCTION: This article reports the findings from the interviews with the main United Kingdom faith and belief leaders which were commissioned by the Organ Donation Taskforce as part of its evidence gathering when exploring the potential impact of an opt-out system for organ donation. METHODOLOGY: 17 interviews were arranged with the main faith and belief organisations within the United Kingdom. Interviews covered a range of issues related to organ donation and opt-in and opt-out. RESULTS: The majority of faith and belief leaders are supportive of the opt-in system, and favour retaining it over the introduction of an opt-out system. Whilst the shortcomings of the current system are recognised, the majority felt that there is scope to make improvements without changing legislation. CONCLUSION: In order to achieve better engagement on organ donation with members of faith and belief groups in the future, it will be important to continue the dialogue that has begun with these interviews. It is important not only for the public to be aware of the position of faith and belief leaders, but also just as important for the medical profession and policy makers to recognise that all United Kingdom faith and belief leaders interviewed wish organ donation and transplantation to be a success.