Organ Donation: Opt-Out, Mandated, or by I-Phone?

Most U.S. states use an opt-in approach for organ donation.  Alternatives include the opt-out and the mandated approaches, which could motivate U.S. citizens who would like to be an organ donor to make their intent known:

• Opt-out: Citizens are presumed to consent to organ donation unless they opt-out.  This approach, also called presumed consent, is used in some European countries and can result in significantly higher donation rates.
• Mandated Approach: Used in Illinois, individuals renewing their driver’s license are required to answer yes or no when asked if they want to be an organ donor.  The sign-up rate in Illinois is 60%, higher than the national average of 38%.

As previously noted, Steve Jobs, following his liver transplant, expressed hope that all can be generous organ donors.  Richard Thaler, in his article Opting in vs. opting out, NY Times, Sept. 26, 2009, responded to Jobs’ public statement:

Here is a challenge to Mr. Jobs: Why not create a Web site — and a free app for the iPhone — that lets people sign up as organ donors in their home states?