World

Pressure is growing from doctors and politicians for an overhaul of the organ donation system in the UK.
A Bill by Tory MP Kenneth Clarke designed to increase the number of organs available for transplant received its second reading in the Commons on Friday.
It comes as a survey from the National Kidney Research Fund finds that the majority of politicians believe that the current system is inadequate to meet ever-rising demand.
Kenneth Clarke’s Private Members’ Bill aims to simplify organ donation rules
Most organs currently used are taken from patients who are clinically dead, but who are being artificially kept alive.
Doctors can use some organs from donors who have just died, but though the practice is not illegal, there are currently no laws to govern it, leaving some doctors wary of the procedure.
In the debate, Kenneth Clarke said: “From time to time there have been doubts raised about the abilities of health authorities, trusts, doctors and others to carry out certain procedures and to be absolutely certain they are within the law.
“No legal challenge has taken place so far. But I’m afraid I think we’re living in an increasingly litigious age.”
He also called for it to be made plain which relatives should be consulted over consent.