Han Feng, 16

School: Kent Ridge Secondary School

Topic: Little interest in organ donation is due to its complexity

Award: Merit, Senior Category, 2024

Is Organ Donation and Transplantation Too Complex?

The procedure of organ donation and transplantation is often considered as the miracle of life that enables individuals to persevere through severe medical circumstances. Nevertheless, one widespread opinion is that such procedures hold virtually no interest to people, because of their presumed difficulty. This essay hopes to prove otherwise by explaining that, despite the numerous challenges and difficulties organ donation and transplantation have, many members of the public are interested in it and may even consider partaking in it. This motivation stems from the urge to help those in need, the information from educational programmes and real inspirational cases on organ donation and transplantation. However, some doctors may say that the complexity and ethical issues related to the topic may contribute to the lack of interest. On the other hand, successful informational campaigns and human empathy ultimately diminishes such a claim.

Firstly, organ donation and transplantation are of great interest to people, due to their great humanitarian effect. Most typically associate organ donation with the opportunity to save and greatly improve the lives of others. For instance, take the case of Nicholas Green, an American boy who had passed away in Italy and his organs were given to others by his family. The decision of his family to do so resulted in the saving of seven Italian lives and furthered awareness of organ donation on the local, national and global levels. This story touched the deepest parts of the human soul and the sense of shared humanity. Therefore, it shows that the possibility of changing a desperate life-threatening situation into a hopeful one is a strong motivating factor for organ donation and transplantation. Even though this subject may be medically complex for some, it still captures the attention and interest of many. The campaigns and personal stories are signs indicating the powerful positive impact brought about by organ donation and transplantation for their beneficiaries. Therefore, people are attracted to such campaigns and stories as a result of empathy and interest.

Additionally, large-scale educational activities that seek to clarify organ donation and transplantation invokes public interest in them. Corporations and organisations across the globe have initiated several campaigns to educate the public on the process of organ donation and transplantation. Thus, people have become more aware of the qualifications required for it. For instance, "Donate Life" campaign in the United States, which aimed to raise awareness on organ donation, utilises easily understandable language and engaging media to educate the American public on organ donation. Besides the infographics, videos and testimonials used in such campaigns, they also simplify complex medical information down into digestible pieces to make it easier to understand for most people, and that concisely stresses the significance and feasibility of becoming organ donors. In Singapore, the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) and the educational programs are the main factors in the rise in donor registration rates and raising public awareness on organ donation and transplantation respectively. Therefore, the once complex and arduous task of organ donation and transplantation has become easier and far more interesting. Therefore, educational activities on organ donation and transplantation have enabled greater public awareness and participation in it.

Thirdly, the inspirational stories on organ donation and transplantation strongly encourage potential organ donors. This strengthens the idea of its feasibility in the public consciousness and promotes more potential organ donors. For instance, the first successful face transplant in France was in 2005, and was among the most high-profile cases, which demonstrates the massive achievements in medical science. Isabelle Dinoire, the patient who received the transplant, had not only survived, but thrived after her life-changing surgery. Therefore, the media brought attention to the fact that organ donation enables beneficiaries to overcome their crippling physical health complications. Another instance is the heart transplant that was key in saving the life of ex-Vice President Dick Cheney and had brought the issue to the forefront of public attention. Therefore, this displayed the lifesaving effects of such medical operations. Such cases are evidence of the capability offered by organ donations and transplantations in overcoming devastating medical issues. Hence, these medical miracles inspire the general populace to partake in organ donation to enable organ transplantation for the invaluable benefit of those struggling from certain medical conditions. Therefore, the public may be able to understand the critical value of organ donations for the health of others and be inspired to play their part in contributing towards such a noble endeavor.

However, some medical specialists are of the opinion that the intricate nature of organ donation and transplantation causes public disinterest in such a field. They emphasise the complex medical procedures, ethical issues and logistical difficulties associated with it. Therefore, they claim that these factors deter potential donors from organ donation and transplantation. For instance, the detailed consent procedures, compatibility tests and possible organ donation may result in the process becoming tedious and daunting for the average person. Besides, they maintain that ethical considerations related to organ allocation and legal complications surrounding cross-border organ transplants craft a public perception that finds organ donation and transplantation overwhelmingly complicated. For instance, the ethical debate over presumed consent versus explicit consent in organ donation policies may contribute to confusion and hesitation towards organ donation and transplantation in the public. Therefore, some medical professionals claim that the immensely complex nature of organ donation and transplantation deters people from even considering it.

On the contrary, education and awareness campaigns serve as sources in busting down such perceived barriers. Through various mediums of media and heart-touching stories of the success of such initiatives, they can cut the imagined complexity and highlight the tangible benefits of organ donation and transplantation. For instance, projects, such as National Organ Donor Day in the United States and World Organ Donation Day internationally, focus on educating the public and debunking misconceptions regarding the topic of organ donation and transplantation. Therefore, this reduces the imagined complexity and boosts the understanding of the public on such matters. The "Be The Match” campaign for bone marrow donation which provides accurate in-depth information and spreads personal success stories has aided in boosting donor registrations. In addition, it is human nature to hold empathy and the desire to pursue moral deeds, which is often more powerful than the fear of complexity. Therefore, the combined ability of knowledge from education campaigns and moral character instilled in people counteracts any perceived complexity of organ donations and transplantations that may deter potential organ donors.

In conclusion, while organ donation and transplantation may be rather complicated to a degree capable of reducing interest in them, the subject remains of great interest for many. From the humanitarian effect to the significance of educational initiatives and inspirational stories, these are merely a few of the more notable factors that stimulate interest in organ donation and transplantation. Nevertheless, certain medical professionals may argue otherwise and claim that the intricacy and ethical issues may dampen public interest in such matters. However, the educational efforts and human empathy both counteract such a claim and promote the participation of organ donors. For the future, I strongly hope that education and advancements in the medical field will demystify the complexity of organ donation and transplantation. In summary, the combination of empathy, education and real-life successes essentially secures public interest and commitment of potential donors in organ donation and transplantation.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2024 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg