Gov't to rewrite law on organ donation

By Lee Youkyung
SEOUL, June 17 (Yonhap) -- The government is pushing to revise a law on organ
donation in an effort to cope with an increasing shortage of donated kidneys,
livers and other body parts, officials said Wednesday.
The revised law would allow people to donate organs without consent from their
families if they express such intentions while still living, the Ministry of
Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said.
Under current law, doctors are banned from taking organs from the bodies of those
who agreed to donate their organs before death if bereaved families object.
"The amendment is designed to help address a severe shortage of donated organs,"
a ministry official said.
The revised law would also allow surgeons to remove organs from brain-dead
patients if only one family member agrees, instead of the current requirement
that two family members agree.
After hearing public comment until early July, the government will present the
bill to the National Assembly in September for approval, he said.
Influenced by traditional Confucianism, many South Koreans remain reluctant to
donate organs after death as they believe that damaging body parts runs counter
to such values as filial duty.
ylee@yna.co.kr
(END)