NBMS applauds amendments to Human Tissue Gift Act

The New Brunswick Medical Society applauds the adoption of amendments to the Human Tissue Gift Act that will make every individual 19 years and up organ and tissue donors unless they choose to opt out. Becoming the second jurisdiction in Canada to adopt a presumed consent model will save lives. Each year, the number of transplants needed vastly outweighs the donations received. Enacting this legislation combined with patient education should convert over 400,000 New Brunswickers into organ donors. With a single donor able to save or improve the lives of up to 80 people, physicians are confident this legislation will benefit all New Brunswickers. We want to congratulate all parties involved for their work on this important issue, and we look forward to more details on what processes and investments will be put in place to implement the new system.