# Resolved: After You're Dead, You Have No Right To Your Body **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 14, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803 "2009-10-14T16:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![spazattak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@spazattak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spazattak)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/21 "2009-10-14T18:41:08Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > If you don’t have a right to say what’s done with your \*body \*after you’re dead, how can you have a right to say what’s done with your \*possessions \*after you’re dead? > > It seems like any argument for mandatory organ donation is also an argument against allowing people to make wills. You’re the second person to mention this. How do you get there from here? You’re saying a corpse is property - the property of the previously animated corpse. And you are assigning monetary value to the corpse by virtue of it being part of the estate. I think the limbs should be split evenly between the grandchildren. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/22 "2009-10-14T18:43:58Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > Hard? It was the hardest damn emotional thing I’ve ever had to do. I’m sorry. It sounds like you had a rougher time than I did. To an extent, it gave me something to think about so it might have even helped me somewhat. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/23 "2009-10-14T18:52:46Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > But in that scenario, the worst thing that happens is that a dead person has their organs removed against their wishes. I agree that we should give people the option to prevent this by not forcing them to give their organs, but I don’t really loose sleep if in cases where the persons wishes aren’t known, this might happen. On the other hand… > [@Lightnin](#): > > But what happens with the inverse situation? I can think of scenarios where someone \*does \*want to donate their organs, but that info isn’t found in time. Which situation is worse? I’m as big an atheist as the next guy but part of freedom of religion is letting the other guy believe what he wants to as well. I thought there were some religions that prohibited it. Doing a quick websearch it seems most major religions support it. That was the biggest one I was thinking of. In my mind it would be a worse situation to violate that than to lose the organs. Of course I never needed a donor organ but have a transplant surgeon uncle who received a heart transplant. I did say that I was a donor. I think my biggest problem with making it opt-out is more emotional than rational, my body is the one thing that is totally mine. You could take all my stuff and even kill me but you couldn’t take my body without my permission. (I know, not very convincing but I think this is one of the primal type issues.) With an opt-out system that wouldn’t even be assured. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/24 "2009-10-14T18:53:36Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > Hard? It was the hardest damn emotional thing I’ve ever had to do. When my mother died I knew she was an organ donor, but it was still hard to actually tell the doctors everything. Plus since it was my mother I didn’t know a full medical history. > > I don’t mind the opt out version, but I do think that it should be easy to opt out of for whatever reason. But which do you think would be harder, having to tell the doctor that yes, your mother (or whomever) did decide to be an organ donor or having to tell the doctor, that yes, your mother did decide to opt out of the otherwise mandatory organ donation despite there being no “socially cognizable good reason” to do so. That’s one of the biggest problems I have with default organ donation – you are forcing people to make a stand, at a highly emotional and draining time, for the wishes of their loved ones that run contrary to the legally-enshrined wishes of society. The death of a loved one is not the time to be adding to the emotional and psychological load of the next of kin. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/25 "2009-10-14T18:55:14Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Your strong feelings illustrate why you should take _personal responsibility_ to opt out of the assumed donation policy. > > If you don’t then you have no one else to blame. > > Thinking like a conservative is fun! 😃 Weak snark, weaker reasoning. The default should be against government intrusion into the private affairs of its citizens. As I have not explicitly authorized anyone to harvest my organs, it is none of the government’s business. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/26 "2009-10-14T18:55:23Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > **Bricker** now that some people have posted their views how about posting yours? My shoot-from-the-hip response is that it absolutely shouldn’t be mandatory, but I wouldn’t object to an opt-out system where the opting out process was not onerous. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/27 "2009-10-14T18:59:19Z")
Another one in favor of opt-out. But if we _must_ continue the opt-in system, non-donors should be ineligible for any dead-donor transplants of any kind. Don’t want to donate your organs? Fine. But it’s the height of hypocrisy to then expect that other people should be willing to save your own selfish ass. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/28 "2009-10-14T19:05:37Z")
I say - [ul] [li]Make it mandatory. You must opt-out, not opt-in. People who don’t want to give their organs can still have a way not to.[/li][li]If not, then people who are registered organ donors should definitely be at the front of the line when receiving organs. I would of course make an exception for children, as they cannot make that decision yet.[/li][li]Get more publicity out about what organ donation means, who it saves, what it entails.[/ul][/li] I also say - are you reading my mail, **Bricker**? Because I just got my license renewal form - which had my organ donor form on the back of it (which I filled out.). Literally last night. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/29 "2009-10-14T19:07:59Z")
> [@black\_rabbit](#): > > Another one in favor of opt-out. > > But if we _must_ continue the opt-in system, non-donors should be ineligible for any dead-donor transplants of any kind. Don’t want to donate your organs? Fine. But it’s the height of hypocrisy to then expect that other people should be willing to save your own selfish ass. I’m not a doctor, but I’d venture a guess that the people who have harvestable organs are probably not the people that may need a donated organ. Won’t they reject donated organs for various medical conditions? ---
**Author:** ![spazattak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@spazattak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spazattak)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/30 "2009-10-14T19:15:13Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Weak snark, weaker reasoning. The default should be against government intrusion into the private affairs of its citizens. As I have not explicitly authorized anyone to harvest my organs, it is none of the government’s business. Dead bodies are not citizens. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/31 "2009-10-14T19:16:26Z")
Once I get my ticket punched I couldn’t care less what happens to my corpse. Hell, I can let you have a few pieces right now if you ask nicely. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/32 "2009-10-14T19:23:19Z")
When you need to have a body part amputated, or, say, a gall bladder removed, do they give it to you to bury? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/33 "2009-10-14T19:24:06Z")
> [@spazattak](#): > > Dead bodies are not citizens. They are the remains of citizens who should not have to tell the government, doctors, or annoying do goodniks to keep their grubby paws off of organs formerly comprising said deceased citizen. ---
**Author:** ![spazattak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@spazattak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spazattak)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/34 "2009-10-14T19:25:18Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > They are the remains of citizens who should not have to tell the government, doctors, or annoying do goodniks to keep their grubby paws off of organs formerly comprising said deceased citizen. Why? ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/35 "2009-10-14T19:33:50Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Won’t they reject donated organs for various medical conditions? I suppose they do, but what does that have to do with anything? Either you’re an organ donor or you’re not. If you’re a donor, you get to be on the transplant list, and/or we may harvest your usable organs when you’re dead. If you’re not a donor, no transplants for you. Got 3rd degree burns over 90% of your body and need a skin graft? Develop diabetes and need a pancreas? You should’ve joined the club when you had the chance. Hope you can find a living donor. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/36 "2009-10-14T19:38:47Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I’m not a doctor, but I’d venture a guess that the people who have harvestable organs are probably not the people that may need a donated organ. Won’t they reject donated organs for various medical conditions? There’s more than just organ donation, and if you have, for example, heart disease, your liver or kidneys or corneas or skin or bone can be just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/37 "2009-10-14T19:40:14Z")
> [@spazattak](#): > > Why? See posts #6 and 25. Also, the State can’t search my house without a warrant. They damn sure shouldn’t be able to harvest my organs without permission. Regardless who owns the rotting flesh that used to be known as Oakminster, we know it is definitely not the government. It’s not the doctor/hospital unless I sign the appropriate paperwork. My body. Mine. Keep your scalpels and such to yourselves. I didn’t like you bastards (generic “you bastards”) all that much when I was alive. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/38 "2009-10-14T19:42:47Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > My body. Mine. Keep your scalpels and such to yourselves. I didn’t like you bastards (generic “you bastards”) all that much when I was alive. Glad to see I’m not the only one with a visceral reaction to the idea that the government can just take my body after I die. (I have to give it to them) ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/39 "2009-10-14T19:43:40Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > My body. Mine. Keep your scalpels and such to yourselves. I didn’t like you bastards (generic “you bastards”) all that much when I was alive. So can we assume that you’ll not be wanting our organs, if the need arises? ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803/40 "2009-10-14T19:44:47Z")
> [@spazattak](#): > > So your dead corpse is part of your estate? A bottle of premium Tequila, $32. A new, cherry red, Ford Mustang, $20,995. Six months in the ICU before being declared brain dead $272,395. Your estate being forced to sell your kidneys to repay debts, priceless. Enjoy, Steven [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803.md?page=3)