We are back to that bugbear, organ donation. From tomorrow if you are applying for a new or replacement driving licence, you have to answer a compulsory question regarding organ donation. The idea isn’t new. There was a question on the previous form. However it is now compulsory and as is usual for those who think it their place to rule us, our choices are somewhat limited.
They can say they would like to sign up there and then, that they are already on the register or that they would like to think about it on another occasion.
So, “no” isn’t actually an option and there are plenty for whom this is the appropriate response. If you choose the weasel worded “I’d like to think about it later,” will you be subjected to more nudges until you give the “right” answer? This isn’t nudge as proposed by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. Their idea was simply that making the preferred choice be easier, not to effectively eliminate the non-preferred choice as hmg are busily doing. The Thaler Sunstein nudge would simply have the form at the beginning of the application process as is being adopted, but leave it there, still voluntary. Nudge done.
A similar question existed previously but it was optional and many applicants missed or ignored it.
And it’s quite possible that a significant number of those non respondents made a deliberate choice. I would have. If I want to go onto the organ donation register, I know where to find it. I choose not to. I do not see why I should be forced to advise the DVLA and by extension, the government. It is none of their concern.
I wonder if you can still get a paper version of the form from the local Post Office? What will they do if you don’t answer the questions on that? Send it back until you do?
The intention, said Chris Rudge, national clinical director for transplantation at the Department of Health, was to give people as many opportunities as possible to sign up.
I don’t have a problem with that in principle at all. Providing there is an option to say “no” and another option to refuse to answer the question.
“But I think we have to be a little bit cautious about not barraging people with this. If people are continually asked the same question, over and over again, you get irritated by it.”
I already am, old bean, I already am…
Can you tick ALL the boxes, I wonder..? 😉
If you lied and said you were on the register, would they check?
But that’s beside the point. This is an affront. Adding a fourth box labelled No and ticking that would be the only way to keep my conscience clean.
Where the real stupidity lies in this is that a significant number of people have medical conditions which prevent them from being able to donate their organs even if they wanted to; but do the people of very questionable intellect who decide to force the states PC agender on people ever think of this?
Well, this just made my mind up for me. I was going to renew my UK driving licence next year. Now I’m simply going to do the full transfer to my provincial Canadian drivers licence. Even if I have to renew the wretched thing every five years.
That way I maintain my right to opt out.
Compulsory organ donation? – Not even over my dead body. I write as one who used to carry a donor card (and be a regular blood donor), but now the UK can get lost. 😈
Rudges final statement nails it on the head – at least he seems aware that this could do more harm than good.
I am certainly one of the irritable people he has in mind – even if I support something, going on at me in this way will be more likely to lessen my support.
Of course one can always tick the “later” box at every opportunity and still get a donor card.
That is my attitude precisely. I detest being nagged. I have no problem with donation. I will not tolerate the hectoring by government though. I refuse to go on the register as a consequence. If the situation arises, they will have to damn well ask.
If you think this is irritating. It’s only a once-off, after all … try fending off the TV licence fascists.
Every bloody month.
I had to throw one off my property in late June …..
Do you actually own a TV Greg?
Either way I see an opportunity for some serious “fun” here.
I suppose I should sign up for organ donation really, I mean, I know it is a good thing, trouble is I don’t want to be seen to be doing what these wankers want me to.
You don’t have to tell anyone Cuffley. Your decision, no bugger elses busines. You could then lie when asked, just to piss them off.
No I don’t
Haven’t had one since, erm, err, 1975 ( ?? )
About three years back, I gave in, abd officially informed them I don’t have a TV – they didn’t believe me at first, so I threatened them with my MP investigating their harassment of me.
They went away for about 13 months, and now it’s back to the old routine of a different threatening letter, about every 6 weeks.
If someoene can find better details of the Edinburgh case in (I think 1979 or ’89) where they falsly obtained a warrant to search, the hoseholder tore it up, and then the fun REALLY started – I would be much obliged.
Just in case, you understand!
John Leon
Good point, I’m one of those people and I gave up donating blood for that very reason, I then got a very curt note demanding to know why I wasn’t giving blood anymore. I complained strongly about that and did get an apology, this was twenty years or so ago, I expect know they’d just ignore me or keep badgering me because I was on some database that nobody could be bothered to update.
Good luck with the “fun” Greg. 🙂
When Organ Donation was first referred to in a statute I read the statute.
If I complete & carry a card or not (I guess ticking boxes on my licence form is the same,) it is my next of kin who decide about donations after my death, whatever my expressed wish, so why bother?
My Beloved knows what I think.
D.