Organ donation called 'a duty'

LONDON -- The Church of England says human organ donation is a Christian duty, in line with the giving of oneself and personal possessions voluntarily for the well-being of others. But the church sidestepped the question of whether to back the so-called "opt-out" system, in which everyone is considered a donor unless he or she specifically stipulates otherwise, or an "opt-in" approach that allows people to sign up as donors.

The House of Lords is discussing whether a position on organ donation should be adopted across the 27-member European Union, of which Britain is a part.

The opt-in/opt-out debate issue is "not a question on which Christians hold a single set of views," said Bishop of Southwark Tom Buffer, in explaining why the church itself has made no final decision.

The church made it clear that it firmly opposes the sale of human organs.

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