[Organ donors: survey of 1000 persons]

According to the french law, organs may be removed from all persons who have not, prior to their death, notified their opposition. The survey shows that 56% had not heard of the law, although 77% were willing to donate. There were marked differences in the answers of the different social groups, the lower groups being less informed and more reserved towards the idea of organ donation. The women asked were less willing than the men to donate their own organs or those of their families, and yet they said they had given more thought to this problem. Finally, although this survey was carried out in an area where there been widespread information on the subject, 94% considered that the public were not sufficiently informed. It is true that, of the 20% against donation, only 1 in 10 knew the practical possibilities for refusal. Could we not envisage a system, as exists in other countries, whereby the acceptance or refusal is mentioned on the identity card? We know in advance that 77% would be willing to donate.