Since 2017, all French citizens will become donors

This law will take effect from January 1, 2017. However, individuals who do not want to donate their organs have the right to subscribe to the "list of national organ donations".

Under a new law that applies in France, all citizens of the country will become donors of organs and tissues after death, unless they refuse to participate and give notice.

Before 2017, organ and tissue donation was only conducted if the donor agreed and registered with the hospital. However, in case the patient dies and does not leave a will or register, the doctor will ask the patient's family. According to the Guardian, one-third of the relatives asked would refuse organ donation.

The scarcity of transplant organs is common in most countries around the world.

Since January 1, 2017, 100% of French people have naturally become organ and tissue donors unless they refuse and sign up for the "list of national organ donations".

"On the principle of national solidarity, this draft has been passed," the French Biomedical Agency shared on its website.

By the time patients die, doctors will check whether they are on the list of refusal to donate. Hospital staff will also ask the patient's family to preview it, they have expressed their attitude to oppose organ donation orally or in writing.

In the United States, citizens can register for organ donation online or with medical facilities. About 120,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant, according to the US organ transplant organization. Every 10 minutes, there is one more person waiting to be donated. However in 2015, only about 37,910 people registered new organ donations in this country.