How can we increase organ donation from both living and dead donors?

The first 200 words of this essay...

The law of medicine and in particular ethics relating to medicine is a very controversial and hotly debated topic, particularly in relation to organ donation which society has conflicting views on. Ethics are central to a doctor's life and practice and are a key part of medicine and medical professionals' behaviour. As well as trying to treat patients with the best therapy available, the doctor is at all times under an obligation to adhere to high professional and ethical standards. 1The relationship between law and medicine is an interesting one that constantly comes under scrutiny. The law now seeks to regulate malpractice and ethical behaviour of doctors.

The removal and retention of human organs and tissue has been a highly controversial matter in Medical Law for decades.2 This was shown by the Alder Hey and British Royal Infirmary cases in 1999-2000. People were shocked and distressed and largely aggrieved that organ and tissues removed from their loved ones had been retained without their knowledge or consent.3 As a direct result of these cases in September 2006, a new legislation came into effect in England and Wales, The Human Tissue Act 2004 ("HTA")4, which is now the primary legislation