It is expected that from 2026, every Swiss citizen will be considered an organ donor unless he or she expressly
declares his or her objection during his or her lifetime.
The Swiss electorate approved this objection solution in 2022.
Anyone who does not wish to donate organs must state this in writing, e.g. on an organ donor card, in a living will or in
an electronic register that the federal government will make available before the introduction of the opt-out solution.
Otherwise you are automatically considered an organ donor.
The next of kin will then be informed and can object.
This new regulation presupposes that Swiss citizens must be fully informed about the subject of organ
donation in order to be able to make an appropriate decision.
But how much do the Swiss people know about it?
The K-Tipp writes that a third of the population feels insufficiently informed about organ removal.
This is based on two federal surveys in 2022 and 2023.
The Federal Office of Public Health and the Swisstransplant Foundation want to remedy this situation.
They are planning a multi-million euro information campaign from September 2025 to 2029.
However, the hope of comprehensive, factual reporting is already gone in the campaign announcement.
K-Tipp writes that the topic of organ donation should be communicated "with an accepting attitude".
A look at past campaigns and the 2022 referendum campaign also shows that the FOPH and the Swisstransplant
Foundation are unwilling to inform the public about key facts.
For example, that the brain death criterion was introduced in 1968 for the purpose of organ
procurement in order to avoid criminal liability.
This is because the removal of organs from a living body is legally a punishable homicide.
Brain-dead people are warm, their metabolism is working.
Brain-dead people fight infections and injuries, e.g. through fever.
The brain dead must be fed, cared for, monitored and supplied with medication so that they do not
die. The brain dead are resuscitated if necessary.
Isn't that a contradiction in terms: resurrecting the dead?
The Federal Office of Public Health and Swisstransplant have also not yet explained the procedure for organ removal in detail.
Who knows that organ donors are given anesthesia even though they have already been declared dead?
"Dead people" react to the pain of the operation.
Without anesthesia, cutting open the body could cause the heart to race, blood pressure to rise, cold sweating, tearing
of the eyes and defensive movements of the arms and legs.
Dr. med. Alex Frei, Vice President of the "Organization of doctors and nurses against
organ donation at the end of life", told K-Tipp:
"Instead of explaining organ donation neutrally and comprehensively, as required by the medical duty of disclosure,
the federal government is concealing sensitive issues."
According to Mr. Frei, in addition to the procedure for organ removal, it is also important to provide information
about the lack of knowledge regarding dying and death.
For example, it is unclear whether the consciousness of the donor lives on with a transplanted organ.
Aren't these fundamental aspects that should be included in a campaign before a person
decides whether or not to donate their organs?
Therefore, Swiss citizens, inform yourself thoroughly. Take your time to consider the arguments on
both sides and make your own well-considered decision.
Do not neglect to record this in writing in good time.
In the blue box below the program you will find the link where you can obtain and fill out an organ donor card or a living will.