Should the legal organ donor age be lowered to 18?

3:08 PM Wednesday Mar 12, 2008

Kataraina Pewhairangi (18) has been told an ethics ruling says that live donors must be at least 21. Her blood type is the same as her 10-month daughter Teyah's, which potentially means she could save the child's life if she was to donate part of her own liver.
She has now won her fight to donate part of her liver to her daughter.
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Should the legal organ donor age be lowered to 18? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

twentysomething (Auckland Central) | 04:55PM Wednesday, 12 Mar 2008

No it should be kept at 21 to protect young people (for example a parent might try and force their child to donate an organ against their child's best interest), But exceptions should be made for unique circumstances - such as a mother donating to their child. She's obviously a responsible person given that she's willing to sacrifice her own health and well being for that of her baby. I don't see how any government could stand in her way. Surely they're able to make exceptions to the rules and use some compassionate consideration?

Anne (Glen Eden) | 06:42PM Wednesday, 12 Mar 2008

Any parent should be able to donate whatever they choose to donate, regardless of age.

Behr (Auckland Region) | 09:30PM Wednesday, 12 Mar 2008

They should lower the age to 18 if you are the parent of the child and you are a match. I don't think it is fair on the family to have added stress to their lives with issue. If they are able to have children and raise this child then by rights they should be allowed to make the adult decisions regarding their childs life and well being. Is this not what being a parent is all about. Making sacrifices for your children no matter what the out come is. As a parent you will do anything to protect your child. All this mother wants is to give her baby a chance and she is running into brick walls. Come on people stop playing god with their lives, pull your heads out of your backsides and see this for what it is, a mothers gift to her beloved daughter, the gift of life. How hard is it to make up your minds on this.