Face, brain and genitals excluded from new 'opt-in' organ donation scheme

A person’s brain, face, and penis or uterus are among the organs which will not form part of the government’s new ‘opt-in’ donation scheme.

From 2020, it will automatically be assumed adults want to donate certain organs and tissues after their death.

This is a departure from the current system, where adults need to voluntarily opt in to donate their organs after death through registering on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

The government has today released a proposed list of organs and tissues which are automatically allowed to be taken, and which ones will require additional permission before they can be taken.

Spinal cord, hand and feet are also among those on the “explicit permission” list.

READ MORE: Firefighter donates organs after his death

Heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and skin are on the list of organs and tissues which will be automatically taken under the new system, unless an individual has opted out or falls under a number of exceptions.

How does the opt-out system work?

From spring 2020, individuals will have their organs automatically donated after their death unless:

• They have personally opted out of the system

• A representative has opted out on their behalf

• They are in an excluded group: under 18, resident in England for less than 12 months before death, or lacking mental capacity for a significant period before their death.

Full list of organs and tissues under ‘opt-in’ donation scheme

Heart (whole organ or for heart valves) • lungs • liver • kidneys • pancreas • intestinal organs (small bowel, stomach, abdominal wall, colon, spleen) • eye • nervous tissue • arteries/veins/blood vessels • bone • muscle • tendon • skin • rectus fascia (tissue that encases abdominal muscles)

Full list of organs that would need explicit permission

Brain • spinal cord • face • nose • mouth • trachea (windpipe) • arm • upper arm • forearm • hand • finger • leg • thigh • lower leg • foot • toe • ovary • uterus • penis • testicle • foetus • placenta • umbilical cord • embryo (inside the body) • eye cells that will be used to make medicinal products • liver cells that will be used to make medicinal products • pancreatic cells that will be used to make medicinal products

If you live in England, you are invited to give your views on the proposals until 22 July.