60% of Swiss voters support new ‘presumed consent’ system
In Switzerland, those who do not explicitly opt out during their lifetimes will now be assumed to have consented to have their organs taken for transplant upon their deaths, following a referendum on Sunday.
The government-backed measure was upheld by roughly 60 percent of Swiss, with a turnout of just over 40 percent of all eligible voters. The new rules will not come into force immediately, as the government has yet to inform all citizens of the change, and create a national database to opt out.
The new rules will only apply to those 16 and older, and the organs will be taken only from patients who died in an intensive care unit and were confirmed deceased by two doctors, according to AFP.
