Voice 1 Thank you for joining us for today's Spotlight program. I'm Ryan Geertsma. Voice 2 And I'm Courtney Schutt. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1 Each year, thousands of people around the world wait for new organs. For these people, it is a life or death situation. They have diseases or sicknesses that cause one or more of their organs to fail. Without a new organ, it is only a matter of time until they will die.
Voice 2 But improvements in medicine have given these people hope. Each year organ transplants become more common. Doctors remove the failing organ and replace it with a healthy organ. Doctors successfully transplant the kidney, liver, heart, lung, intestine, and pancreas. The healthy organs come from people who have died of natural causes or sudden accidents. These people are organ donors.
Voice 1 Amy Steiner was only sixteen [16] years old when she made her decision. When she died, she wanted her healthy organs to give new life to other people. Amy became an organ donor. And she made sure that people knew it. She told her parents about her decision. And she joined the donor list where she lived.
Voice 2 Two years later, Amy was involved in a tragic car accident. Doctors were not able to save her life. Her injuries were too great. But after hearing the shocking news, Amy's mother Mary remembered that Amy wanted to be an organ donor. Voice 3 “I was surprised that I remembered it during my sadness. But the discussion was fresh in my mind.” Voice 1 Amy's organs were donated to five people. After her death, the local newspaper told Amy's story. They called her a hero because she chose to be an organ donor. Even in her death, Amy's story will continue. She will never be forgotten. Even people she never knew will remember her. Mary is encouraged by her daughter's decision to donate her organs. Voice 3 “There's an old saying, ‘Strangers are friends that you have not met yet. I just want to tell the people who received organs from my daughter and other donors that these donors ARE your friends that you have not met. Another chance to live is the greatest gift you can give another human being.” Voice 2 Amy's story demonstrates the importance of organ donation. But organ donation programs face many difficulties. In most places, doctors do not take organs from everyone who dies. First, they must be sure that the person or their family agrees to participate in organ donation.
Voice 1 This is not always easy to discover. If possible, the doctors must get an answer from a possible organ donor before they die. This can be very difficult in an emergency situation. So, organizations like UK Transplant in the United Kingdom try to get people to think about organ donation before a crisis - the way Amy did.
Voice 2 UK Transplant spreads information about the success of transplants and the need for more organ donors. They encourage people to talk about their decision with friends and family. And they also make it easier for people to find out how to join the Organ Donor Register. By joining this list, a person legally expresses their wish to donate their organs after death.
Voice 1 If doctors do not have direct approval from the patient before death, they must get approval from the family after death. The family must make this difficult decision while they are still mourning for their loved one. This is why the most important thing an organ donor can do is discuss their wish with family and friends.
Voice 2 Organ donation is not a simple decision for many people or families. So, it is not surprising that the number of organ donors is a lot lower than the number of people waiting to receive organs. There are a number of common concerns.
Voice 1 Many people are concerned about their own medical care. But there is no need for this concern. A doctor's concern is for the life of his or her current patient. Organ donors get the same care as someone who is not an organ donor.
Voice 2 Another common question about organ donation concerns religion. Many people do not know what their religious leaders say about organ donation. The truth is that most of the larger religions support organ donation. It is often considered an act of love or self-less giving. To know for sure, a person should talk to their religious leader.
Voice 1 But the most common reason a person does not become a donor is simply because they did not discuss it with their family. When that person dies, their family does not know if they wanted to donate their organs.
Voice 2 For this reason, some countries are reconsidering the way people become organ donors. Many people die while waiting for an organ. So many countries want to increase the number of organ donors.
Voice 1 Currently, most countries have “opt in” policies for organ donation. A person must announce their desire to be an organ donor. They can do this by signing a donor card or putting their name on a donor list. Then when they die, doctors may remove their organs to give to another person. Or the doctors gain approval from the family after a person's death. Voice 2 The United Kingdom is one country that uses the “opt-in” policy. A study there showed that ninety [90] percent of the population supports organ donation. But only twenty-three [23] percent of the population has listed their desire to donate their organs. And with the current policy, forty [40] percent of families choose not to donate their relative's organs. Voice 1 But now, some countries are discussing the good and bad effects of an “opt out” policy instead. Opt-out policies already exist in Italy and Spain, and some other countries. In these places, everyone is considered an organ donor. So after a person dies, doctors may take organs without direct approval. In this situation, a person would put her name on a list if she did not wish to donate her organs. Usually, doctors still ask for the family's approval. And they will respect the desires of the family. In these places, the policy has been effective. Many more suffering people are receiving organ transplants.
Voice 2 What do you think? What are the good and bad effects of an “opt in” or “opt out” policy? Should the government be able to consider everyone an organ donor? What effects would that have on health care? Have you discussed this with your family and friends? To share your ideas, write to us at radio @ english . net.
Voice 1 The writer and producer of today's program was Courtney Schutt. The voices you heard were from the United States. All quotes were adapted for use in this program. Computer users can hear our programs, read our scripts, and see our word list on our website at www.radio.english.net. This program is called “Organ Donation.” We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
