From Chinese Press

A move too early to accept

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-03 07:58

That people applying for a driving license are registering as organ donors is a sign of social progress. If such foreign practices enter China without any change, trial or public discussion, they may continue for sometime but will inevitably result in "culture shock", says an article in Shanghai Morning Post. Excerpts:

Asians have many peculiar practices and beliefs. For example, Chinese people pay special attention to safety before going on a trip. But asking people applying for a driving license to become organ donors is like a friendly reminder to them to drive carefully or donate their organs. Many people regard this as ominous, and some even suspect it is aimed at illegal organ transplant.

Related readings:  Drivers get organ donor opportunity  China to crackdown on illegal organ transplants  Problems of organ trade  China extends organ donation trial

Almost every country faces the problem of organ donors. Besides, it has always been disputed whether brain dead people should be considered organ donors.

Under such circumstances, it's more difficult for society to get organ donors.

There are actually many other humane methods to promote organ donation. For example, people in Japan can ask for a yellow card in groceries or supermarkets to register as organ donors.

But Chinese people have never been in the habit of registering as organ donors when they are still young and healthy.

All new ideas and social measures need to progress gradually and have to be accepted by society. There are things that Chinese people used to consider unlucky earlier but have accepted with the passage of time.

Perhaps someday we will make funeral arrangements for ourselves much before our death. But the practice of registering as organ donors when applying for a driving license is something that cannot be accepted now.

(China Daily 05/03/2011 page9)