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New Dutch law makes any adult an organ donor

Doctors in theatre
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The Dutch Senate on Tuesday passed a new organ donor law which will register everyone over the age of 18 as an organ donor unless they have indicated otherwise.

The so-called Active Donor Registration System bill was adopted with a short majority of 38 votes in favour and 36 against.

The law, which had already been approved by the House of Representatives in 2016, aims at dealing with organ donor shortages in the country.

When the law comes into effect, Dutch citizens will receive two letters by mail to indicate whether or not they want to become donors.

If they do not respond after the second letter, they will automatically be placed on the donor list.

Opponents believe that the law goes too far by making people donors without having their explicit permission

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