A new organ donation system has been proposed in the House of Keys.

Garff MHK Martyn Perkins wants to change the law to bring in ’presumed consent’, which would set organ donation as the default option unless you choose to opt-out.

At present, the system requires people to sign onto a register if they wish for their organs to be available for transplants after their death.

Wales adopted the so-called ’presumed consent’ system in December 2015 and have seen a rise in available organs, which has helped ease the strain on waiting lists.

The Examiner asked the public for their thoughts on the opt-out proposal and the affect it could have on those waiting for a donor.

’I do believe in organ donation and agree with the opt-out system,’ said Amy Parish, a 33-year-old from Ramsey.

’We need more organ donations and it’s simple to fill in a form saying you don’t want to donate. After all, it’s your body and your choice.’

Andy Heeney, 44, from Onchan is on the register as an organ donor.

He said: ’It should be an opt-out scheme. I had a friend whose sister was knocked over in a cycling accident. Her organs saved six lives. They were changed because of one person.

’How can you say no to something like that?’

Glyn Callow, 73, who is from Glen Vine, believes the proposal is a great idea. He said: ’It should have happened years ago!

’I think it’s good for humanity and it’s one way of giving something back by saving a life.

’I think it would help with all kinds of transplants and stop hospital beds from being blocked.’

Douglas resident, Hilary Duncan, 56, said: ’To give a life to someone else is a good thing to do, but of course, you don’t force this on anyone.’

Hilary signed onto the register after seeing a campaign about the issue.

’My family were given cards to let them know that I had decided to donate my organs in future.

’I think we need to educate people more about this, to make them more aware and I think people who have life from an organ donation need to get out there and talk about it.

’The MHKs could also be doing more to get that information out there.’

Another Douglas resident, Ann Large, aged 44, thinks that people are put off from organ donation because ’it makes them think about their mortality’.

’If it’s an automatic system, it takes away that element of thinking about our death.

’I think it takes pressure off relatives too. It’s hard enough for them to think about organ donations when their loved ones have been taken away.

’It’s best having made that decision when you are living.’

Georgia Malone, a 30-year-old from Douglas, said: ’I think it’s good - it’s making the island move forward and that’s what we should be doing.

’I’m a donor myself. I signed up because it could really help someone.’

The people who shared their views about the topic were in favour of the proposal, however this does not necessarily reflect the opinions of everyone living on the island.

â?¢ Send your views to [email protected] for our letters page.