DOCTORS have backed plans for a scheme that could see organs taken from dead bodies without the deceased's prior consent.

The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland is in favour of a “soft opt-out” approach that would mean family members would be consulted on the wishes of dead relatives but the default position would be that Scots have to register their wish to have their bodies kept intact.

The support comes as a motion in favour of a Government consultation on an opt-out system is expected to be heard at next week’s SNP conference.

A spokesman for BMA Scotland said: “The BMA encourages debate that looks towards a soft opt-out system for organ donation.

“We know there is public support for a change in the system and believe a soft opt-out system would reflect the views of the majority.

“Unless an individual had registered an objection to donating their organs, or if the family were aware of an objection, the default position would be to donate.

“Creating this kind of system will allow the wishes of the individual to be taken into account and increase the number of organs available for transplant.”

The soft opt-out approach was favoured in a report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which also said offering to pay for the funerals of organ donors might help boost the number of life-saving transplants. However, it warned against a “hard opt-out” scheme that would see everyone regarded as a donor without consent.