The move is an indirect counterproposal to a people’s initiative “promote organ donations, save lives” launched in 2017. This wants organ donations to be based on presumed consent, meaning that every adult who dies could automatically become a donor.
This aims to reverse the current opt-in policy, which requires explicit consent by potential donors and consultation of relatives if they have not.
Middle way
In its plans, put out to consultation on Friday, the government takes a middle way: it supports presumed consent, with those not in favour of donating being required to put their names on a register. But its version allows for the consultation of relatives in cases of doubt.
Switzerland does not have enough organs available for donation. Last year, 68 people died while waiting for a transplant. According to a government statementExternal link, “donation numbers are still low in European comparison”, despite a campaign to promote the practice.
The government said that it supported the basis on the initiative: it wants to reduce waiting times and thus save lives. Experience in other countries has shown that organ donation increases with the presumed consent model, it added. This is the case in France, Austria, Italy and Spain. But it added that, in its view, it was still important to consult relatives.
The rules would apple to people aged over 16 and who are living in Switzerland. The conditions for organ donation would remain unchanged: that the death took place in hospital due to a brain injury or cardiac arrest.
More
More
Organ donations increasing but still insufficient
This content was published on
The Federal Health OfficeExternal link said 145 people had agreed to provide one or several organs upon their death. In addition, 137 live donors had given a kidney or part of their liver. In total, 440 patients were able to benefit in 2017, according to a statement published on Monday. Officials say the increase is…
UBS economists more confident about Swiss economy in 2025
This content was published on
UBS economists have revised upwards their estimates of Swiss GDP growth for the current year. However, they are more pessimistic for next year, due to the spectre of US tariffs.
Swiss parliamentary committees approve negotiating mandate with US
This content was published on
Following the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, the Senate's sister committee is also in favour of the government's negotiating mandate on trade relations with the US.
Situation in Blatten stable but steady rockfall continues
This content was published on
The situation in the landslide area of Blatten in southwestern Switzerland remained stable during Monday night. On the Kleine Nesthorn, however, smaller rockfalls continue to occur.
Kirchner painting on show again in Basel after more than 100 years
This content was published on
The painting "Dance in a Variety Theatre" by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was thought to be lost for decades. Now it is on public display at the Kunstmuseum Basel for the first time in over 100 years.
Influential Swiss politician Vreni Spoerry dies aged 87
This content was published on
Zurich politician Vreni Spoerry died on Thursday at the age of 87. She was extremely influential in federal financial policy for 20 years as a member of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Blatten: top Swiss politician appeals for solidarity with landslide victims
This content was published on
Maja Riniker, president of the House of Representatives, called on Switzerland to show solidarity with those people who have lost everything.
This content was published on
In the US, production has been stopped and 280 employees laid off. For the German subsidiaries – with over 600 employees – insolvency proceedings have been filed.
Swiss researchers develop new treatment against lymphoma
This content was published on
The cancer can be effectively combated with the radioactive element terbium. However, the therapy has not yet been tested on humans.
This content was published on
The Federal Health OfficeExternal link said 145 people had agreed to provide one or several organs upon their death. In addition, 137 live donors had given a kidney or part of their liver. In total, 440 patients were able to benefit in 2017, according to a statement published on Monday. Officials say the increase is…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.