Eye donation in medical soaps

[Loopy-Lou]

I can't remember which medical soap I was watching [probably Holby or Casualty] but a character gave permission to the doctor for organs to be taken "everything except the eyes" and the doctor nodded understandably and that made me really angry because viewers will watch that and it will encourage the reluctance to tick everything bar the eyes. I think eye groups should take this up and write to the programmes.

[Andrew MacLean]

I agree that this is regrettable, but the programme makers would probably say that they were reflecting the real world where many people agree to donate all sorts of tissue but not the eyes.

It is a shame that they reinforce the prejudice against ocular tissue donation in this way.

Andrew

[GrandPaClanger]

It was Holby. I don't watch the program but GrandMaClanger does and she was fuming. She was going to write to the beeb don't know if she did. They did not take the opportunity to change the characters mind. All negative publicity that those of us (myself included) on the waiting list for a graft could do without.

A quick Google search indicates that most religions are in favour of a graft. Someone correct me If I am wrong

Ian

[GrandPaClanger]

Could not sleep so emailed the beeb myself pov@bbc.co.uk. I'll let you know if they grace me with a reply

[Loopy-Lou]

Good, I'm glad someone has written to them

[GrandPaClanger]

Well the beeb have not graced me with a reply. However GrandMaClanger informs me that in the same soap they actually harvested some corneas this week (or was it last). I believe it was a different story line.

[Teresa D]

Perhaps (hopefully) the Beeb have been inundated with emails, hence the delay in responding to yours! Do let us know if you hear anything further. I was the (extremely grateful) recipient of a donor cornea last year and it'd be awful if the majority of donors decided against the corneas.

[Loopy-Lou]

I think when soaps do this, they should feature a 5 min piece before the next programme with someone speaking from a relevant organisation setting out the facts just like they might offer a helpline for 'anyone affected by the issues in the programme'