The need to "redefine death" wouldn't be so urgent if there wasn't such a large shortage of organs for transplant operations.

Over half of the 99,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate about 20,000 transplantable organs every year. Over 6,000 of our neighbors suffer and die needlessly every year as a result.

There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage -- give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition.

daveundis:

There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage -- give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

I completely agree. I have religiously donated blood and have been an organ donor since I first got my driver's license when I was 16. I don't think it's fair that non-organ donors have the same shot at donated organs as I do.

Nice altruism there....

If altruism could eliminate the organ shortage, the shortage wouldn't exist in the first place. We need incentives.

I think that's a really good idea. I have always been an organ donor because, to me, it just made sense, but I think if there was a well publicized system like the one you suggest in place, perhaps a lot of people who would likely donate, but just don't think about it would be more willing, at a young age, to commit. I wonder, though, if most people who are not donors are simply thoughtless, or is there a reason, perhaps religious, that causes them to take it all with them? Not to sound like a jerk, but I wouldn't want my organs going to someone who would refuse to return the favor to another person in need (as opposed to a fellow donor), no matter their reason.

All major religions support and encourage organ donation. I don't know of any religion that objects to donating organs but allows receiving organs. Please join LifeSharers at www.lifesharers.org.

Another option would be to make the organ donor program something that you are on by default. To get off the list, it could require a notarized letter stating the fact.

I'm sure that could add a few thousand to the pool.

I was just discussing this issue with a few coworkers and to my amazement, two were not organ donors. One said he didn't want his body mutiliated upon death and the other said he wanted doctors to do everything to save his life and not simply view him as a body full of organs ripe for the plucking.

If either of them some day requires an organ donation, I don't see why they should have the same shot at one as everyone else.

Another solution? Donate organs automatically, with "opt out" documentation instead of counting on people to "opt in."

What about people who have HIV or AIDS? Would they be able to donate their organs? I don't think that's a positive attitutude (or very altruistic) that I can only give my organs to someone who agreed to donate to donate theirs.

My mother was the recipient of an organ donor and I am registered one as well. However, I understand that not everyone is able to give the gift of life and the reasons are not always for selfish ones either.

I agree - this would dramatically increase the number of available organs. Those who are unable medically to donate would be "opted out" automatically, and those who are against it for religious reasons could opt-out with a simple signature on a card, much like organ doners opt in now.