1C

Do you think McCaleb should feel guilty having the heart knowing how the donor died? Why?

I don’t think it makes much difference in the guilt stakes. Nor should it. And surely, this is why the details around organ donation are kept confidential.
Although it might make another recipient feel ‘uneasy’ if they unwittingly learned how their donor died, I don’t think this would be the case for McCaleb. As a former FBI agent, he’ll be used to the circumstances surrounding murder; I can’t see him being squeamish about the heart he received.

No I don’t think he’ll feel guilty but he will help Graciela find out what happened to her sister. He does miss his old job anyway!

No... absolutely not. It may sound callus, but dead is dead no matter how they died, and it's good that a part of her can still live on.

Should definitely feel no guilt. She was obviously up for organ donation, and immaterial really how she died. You feel heartily (😂🫣) sorry for her but shouldn’t feel any guilt.

>5 Andrew-theQM: 😂 quite the pun!

He shouldn’t feel any more guilty than he would for his donor dying another way. Andrew is spot on, her organ was donated. (Though there are stories from other countries where organs were sold or stolen for transplant. Seems like the US has strong measures in place to prevent this.

>6 bluebird_: Here in the UK we have an ‘opt-out’ system for organ donation, rather than ‘opt-in’.
Anyone over 18 who has not opted out, or belongs to an excluded group, is considered to be a potential donor, (the deceased’s family is still consulted).

>7 Sergeirocks: interesting. Ι suspect that means shorter transplant wait times. But doubt it would work in the US, it would be perceived as a loss of autonomy. Opt-in is likely more appropriate here.

>8 bluebird_: It isn’t strictly enforced, it is treated respectfully, and the family/loved ones of the deceased will always be consulted. A lot of families will still find it difficult to agree to this, understandably so, and they have the final say.
I think it’s down to the individual to discuss their wishes with their loved ones if they have very strong views on wanting to be a donor. It’s a bit like letting your family know whether you want to be buried or would prefer cremation.

(And it’s a simple matter to opt out: a visit to our NHS website, and the click of a button.)

>8 bluebird_:
ps I think it’s had only a slight improvement in tackling donor waiting lists because of the veto of families.

Interesting. It would be a great study to find out if opt in vs opt out has an impact on numbers of transplants. Also which way, if either, gives more knowledge and awareness to the general public. One would hope that opt out results in more awareness and family discussions long before the reality needs to be considered. But idk. It’s good to know that it is ultimately up to the family to make final decisions. Hopefully a lot of people let loved ones know their wishes. Thanks for the info on how it works in your neck of the woods.

Here in the US, even if you haven’t opted in to donation, family is still asked if they want to donate or no.