Online poll: Most support organ transplants

More than 91 per cent of the respondents to last week’s cayCompass.com online poll support legal organ transplants in the Cayman Islands. 

Off the 535 total respondents, the largest segment – 441 or 82.4 per cent – supported organ transplants from either living or nonliving donors. 

“It’s time,” said one person. 

“It’s the last kind thing we can do for others,” commented someone else. 

“I’m sure there will be nonsense from the religious side as to why we shouldn’t do this, but saving lives should supersede superstition,” said another respondent. 

“Yes, yes, yes,” said one person. “This is long overdue. Why should we be last on the bandwagon when lives are saved by organ donations?” 

“It is ridiculous that a first-world country such as Cayman does not allow organ donation,” said someone else. 

Thirty-five people – 6.6 per cent – supported organ transplants, but only from nonliving donors and another 13 people – 2.4 per cent – supported organ transplants from only living donors. 

Only 24 people – 4.5 per cent – said they did not support organ transplants. 

“I don’t feel we have the necessary infrastructure or support needed,” said one person, whose sentiments were echoed by several others. 

“It’s too risky,” said someone else. 

“We are creatures of God,” said another respondent. “Organ transplants, like abortion, is interfering with His will. It is making gods of men. Please do not allow this evil to come our Islands.” 

“I can’t even get my car fixed right,” noted someone else. 

“Organs are likely to be stolen and not donated,” said another person. 

“This is a nonissue compared to lifestyle issues like diet and exercise,” said one respondent. “Aggressively promoting healthy diet and exercise would have a much more positive effect on Cayman’s health.” 

Twenty-two people – 4.1 per cent – responded ‘I don’t know’ to the question. 

“It is necessary, but Cayman is far too corrupt to risk offering such a service in this region,” said one person. “There is also an underground black market for human organs where people are abducted, kidnapped, and killed, their organs ripped from their bodies to provide organs. Poor people would be under-serviced in health care facilities and used as guinea pigs to provide organs for the rich and famous.” 

Next week’s poll question 

Are you in favour of Cayman having all single-member constituencies? 

Yes 

No 

Maybe; It depends on how the boundaries are drawn 

I’m not sure yet 

I’m not a voter in the Cayman Islands so it doesn’t matter what I think.