THE Scottish Government has been called on to back a change in the law to save the lives of people waiting for an organ transplant.

The Evening Times Opt For Life Campaign is backed by most MSPs through a petition and motion in the Scottish Parliament and widespread support from medical and health experts and charities.

Labour Glasgow MSP Anne McTaggart is preparing a member's bill that would see a move to a system where it is considered that people agree to have their organs used for transplant unless they have stated otherwise.

The soft opt out system is designed to ensure the wishes of the person are respected and family members consulted.

It is believed the system would enable more donors to be available and for fewer people to die while they are waiting for a transplanted organ to become available.

Ms McTaggart challenged Public Health Minister Michael Mathe-son to back the proposals.

Mr Matheson said that Scottish Government campaigns were successful in increasing the number of people on the organ donor register, the number of available organs and number of transplants.

However, Ms McTaggart said the new system would allow Scotland to go further.

She asked: "In light of the fact that for every one donor seven lives can be saved and 38 people died last year waiting for an organ donation, will the Scottish Government back a soft opt out like the Welsh Government to save many more lives than at present?"

Mr Matheson said it was not government policy and said the evidence from other parts of the world was being examined.

He said: "The part of the UK with the highest level of organ donation is Scotland.

"There are countries that already have opt out systems but lower levels of donations.

"We are guided in this matter by the Scottish Transplant Group, made up of experts and families.

"Their view is opt out is not appropriate at this time. We need to build on the good progress that has delivered record numbers of organ donations."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk