DREW SMITH Scottish Labour MSP for Glasgow

"Even although I carry an organ donor card, I can't be sure that my wishes will be respected after death.

"Moving to presumed consent will result in many more lives being saved through organ donation by removing the stress on families of having to decide whether or not to support the choices which relatives may have made but not discussed with others during their lives. Moving to opt-out will safeguard those who don't support organ donation and make sure wishes are clear and understood when we're no longer able to speak for ourselves."

JACKIE BAILLIE MSP, Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing

"I congratulate the Evening times on the launch of their campaign.

"The question of whether to donate the organs of a loved one is a very emotional one and often has to be taken by relatives at a very difficult time.

"Moving to presumed consent means that difficult decision is removed. It is far easier to opt out of something than to opt in. I hope that this campaign receives a lot of support as there are many instances where organs could have been donated but are not.

"Thousands of patients are on waiting lists for transplants, and if the system was changed to one of presumed consent it may lead to many more lives being saved."

SANDRA WHITE, SNP MSP for Glasgow

"This campaign's got my backing. With the right safeguards, presumed consent for organ donations will help save many lives, and that's an aim I fully support."

PATRICK HARVIE, MSP and Scottish Green Party leader

"Increasing the supply of organs for donations isn't just worthwhile, it's a matter of life and death.

"The arguments for presumed consent are very strong, and I'd like to see detailed proposals brought forward so that any concerns people have can be answered properly.

"In the meantime, let's hope that the campaign for this important change also encourages more people to sign up for organ donation to show their commitment to saving lives."

ANN McKECHIN Labour MSP for Glasgow north

"I fully support the Evening Times campaign, and it is vital that we try to increase the number of organ donors.

"As a long-standing carrier of a donor card I am worried that there appears to be a particular problem with organ donation levels in Scotland.

"Now is the time to support a move to presumed consent and I urge the Scottish Government to back this campaign."

TOM HARRIS, Glasgow Labour MP for Glasgow South

"I have always supported presumed consent, and I have carried a donor card my whole adult life.

"I am sure the vast majority of people in Scotland would want their organs used to help improve or save the live of someone after they've gone.

"It is such a waste, just because they haven't joined the register.

"This is a reform that I believe will happen sooner or later and I hope it is sooner. Well done to the Evening Times."

BOB DORIS Glasgow SNP MSP

"WhiIst sympathetic, I am as yet undecided over an opt-out system of organ donation but suspect that is where public opinion will be heading.

"There are obviously a number of concerns which would need to be addressed sensitively before I gave an opt-out system my full support. However, increasing organ donation levels is all about saving lives and that should be our primary concern. As deputy convener of the Health and Sport Committee I will have a scrutiny role if there is to be any change to the system.

"I believe our committee would work constructively in testing the evidence to see if a workable opt-out system, which would need to include safeguards, can be achieved. I commend the Evening Times for taking a lead on this important matter. "

COUNCILLOR GORDON MATHESON, Labour Leader of Glasgow City Council

"Organ donation saves lives and alleviates human suffering. The Evening Times, Glasgow's campaigning newspaper, is to be congratulated on championing this life or death issue."

COUNCILLOR ALISON HUNTER, SNP group leader

"My personal view is that we should go for the opt-out option. I think that there is not enough awareness about organ donation under the current system and it puts so much pressure on relatives at a time of great stress."

COUNCILLOR PAUL COLESHILL, Liberal Democrat group leader.

"Personally I'm in favour of it and I would urge the Scottish Government to have a policy of presumed consent with safeguards. Logically it makes so much sense. People are dying waiting for transplants."

COUNCILLOR DAVID MEIKLE Conservative group leader

"I congratulate the Evening Times on the campaign and I would like to add my backing to any efforts to review the law to improve the availability of organs for crucial transplants."

THE Evening Times' campaign to persuade the Scottish Government to launch an 'opt-out' system of organ donation where everyone is automatically placed on the donor register, is gathering support.

It would mean that, unless people opted out, hospitals would be allowed to use their organs for transplants.

Throughout last week we highlighted the problems faced by people waiting for a transplant, the work of medical staff and the tragic consequences for people who failed to receive a new organ.

Support is growing for a change in the law to help address chronic shortages of organ donors across the UK, and our campaign has received cross-party support from Glasgow politicians and councillors...