Call for Europe organ donor card

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Euro MPs are being asked to back an EU-wide organ donor card to tackle
the shortage of organs for transplant.

An estimated 40,000 people across Europe are waiting for a transplant
and mortality rates while waiting for a heart, liver or lung are up to
30%.

MEPs will vote on Tuesday on a report calling for a donor card and
hotline that would operate across Europe.

British Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne says the proposals "could
significantly speed up... finding the right donor".

Because not all EU member states use a donor card system, she also
believes it could improve the system.

"If we rolled it out across the EU, you would get more donors."

Ms Lynne also believes the card could have a detrimental effect on the
trade in illegally trafficked organs and on "transplant tourism"
because there would be a legitimate way of improving access to donated
organs.

The EU report says organ donations should be strictly non-commercial,
to reduce the risks of organ trafficking.