Dr David Lloyd led the first debate calling for a switch to a system of presumed consent for organ donation, known as an opt-out system, in October 2007.
Next month the Welsh Assembly will publish a Bill detailing plans to replace the current system by 2015. If approved, Wales will become the first country in the UK to do so.
Dr Lloyd, a former Assembly member with Plaid Cymru, has called on Scotland to open the Parliamentary debate on organ donation.
The Evening Times has already sparked massive interest on the subject by campaigning for an opt-out system in Scotland, which has the backing of many political figures from all parties.
Dr Lloyd said Scotland, Wales and Ireland had already led the way in other "progressive" changes, such the smoking ban, which was introduced ahead of England.
Welsh ministers want a soft opt-out system so everyone's organs are available for donation when they die unless they have said otherwise. Evidence suggests it could increase the number of organ donations by up to 25%.
Dr Lloyd says the system as it stands now is one of "presumed objection" at a time when research shows 90% of people agree with organ donation.
Dr Lloyd said: "Medicine is marching forward. Organ donation has been left behind because it is not in anyone's target.
"It's not in a waiting list target, it's not cancer, it's not heart disease. Also, people don't like to talk about death.
"When the system was introduced in Belgium, overnight 55% of the population became donors and only 2.5% of the population have said no.
"We have lots more transplant co-ordinators than we ever had just because we are debating the thing. At the end of the day we just haven't got the kidneys.
"The people waiting by the phone in Wales, Scotland and England this afternoon are waiting for that magical call that says, 'We've got an organ for you'.
"It's not that we've not got a bed for them. The defining criterion is the kidney or the liver. We just haven't got enough to answer the demand.
"Some people think it would undermine the altruistic element of donation, the gift of life. But my response to that is, it's still a gift because you can still opt out."
Dr Lloyd, who is the newly appointed patron of the Kidney Wales Foundation, said the term 'presumed consent' had been unhelpful in making a case for opt-out because it implies people do not have a choice.
He said: "People get hung up on the word presumed. It gives the impression the state is going to control my organs, but that's not it at all.
"At the moment, with 90% being in favour of organ donation but not getting round to it, we have a state of presumed objection.
"Once you talk to people about it, telling them you can object and your family can object, people are relaxed about it."
caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk
WE need your help to make this happen and save more lives. Sign our petition to lend your support to an 'opt-out' system for organ donation at: www.eveningtimes.co.uk
You can also sign up on Twitter and Facebook at: http://bit.ly/etoptin Don't forget to send the link to your friends and relatives.
In the meantime, to join the existing national organ donor register, text 'ETDONATE' to 61611.
Texts are charged at the usual standard network rate (any texts sent in reply are free to the recipient). You can also join the list by calling the NHS Donor Line on 0300 1232323. Lines are open all day, every day. Calls are charged at your contracted rate for local calls.
To register online, fill out a form on: www.organdonationscotland.org/nhs_organ_donor_register.html
