House debate: Do organ donors' rights supersede families'?, April 30, 2003
The measure (SB 530), clarifying that an anatomical donation is nonrevocable except by the donor, could get a final vote this week, which would send it to Gov. Jeb Bush. Tuesday's debate primarily focused on whether donors' wishes supersede the rights of their families. A staff analysis of the bill found that it is common for organ teams to bow to the wishes of the family regardless of the deceased's wishes, out of compassion and respect for the family at a stressful, emotional time.But the bill's House sponsor, Rep. Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, said the donation wishes of donors should override their families' considerations, just as their wishes expressed in a will would. [snip]
Most organ donors hadn't discussed with their families, [Dennis] Baxley [R-Ocala] said. "It's all a big surprise." And he said many survivors are distraught when they cannot have an open-casket funeral because so little remains of a body after complete tissue donation.