Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1031063
19 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 SEPTEMBER 2018 Wasted organs, wasted lives HATS off to my cousin, Michel Camill- eri, for kick-starting a public appeal and for the introduction of an "Opt Out Organ Donation" system, which had great success in Austria, Belgium, France, Sweden and other developed countries, who thereby managed to solve the severe scarcity of human or- gans problem, practically overnight. Government need not, however, be hesitant in this matter, but on the con- trary, should wholeheartedly embrace and urgently legislate the introduction of the scheme, to avoid so much un- necessary suffering, avoidable loss of life and in the process make substantial savings on otherwise very inconven- ient, costly long-term treatment for so many patients. More so when for once, an important national and apolitical is- sue that has just been thrust to the fore, will serve to unite rather than divide us. Surely everyone is aware that no one (politicians included) is immune to requiring possible organ replacement at some stage in life and we would all be guilty by default for almost certain perpetual organ unavailability, if we continue to opt for irresponsible inac- tion. Together we can create a truly na- tional endless supply chain of healthy organs, by at least agreeing to be chari- table in death; rather than wilfully al- low our no-longer-required organs to go to waste. Who can tell whose lives will, not might, be saved (including our own) if we act now? We all stand to gain if we are responsible and resolute; so let's prise our national charitable instinct wide open by doing our bit and signing the online petition concerned, which only takes a minute to complete, to spur government into dealing with this matter expeditiously; as our collective voice will surely be heard. If you agree, please visit the petition at this link here https://goo.gl/46ey2W which will automatically lead you to sign off the actual online petition. Through our inevitable demise, may we all willingly and generously gift life. Jean-Pierre Azzopardi Swieqi Politicians and kids at Gay Pride LGBTIQ is a diverse group comprising lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender (or simply 'trans'), intersex, and queer. It is an evolving abbreviation (not an acronym) as it is still growing. A stable acronym would remain as a fixed word. With the main common denomina- tor being that every person has the right to be attracted to any gender or indulge in any preferred type of sexual practice, in the future this trend might lead to other capital letters being added to this group. Sexual orientation has become a human right. These people should be treated equally like any other people and should not be marginalised. How- ever, on Saturday, when children are free and usually at home with their families, during the LGBTIQ parade no politician brought their children with them, unlike at Valletta 18 Celebra- tions. Admittedly, the parade was very colourful and would have been quite entertaining for children! However, we all acknowledge that the minds of children are like a blotting paper; they absorb whatever they see and eventu- ally try to imitate. But on the media we promote them as 'ideal' or 'role models' of modern times… Probably, the children of that 35-year-old mother-of-six who was last week found strangled to death, would be offered to LGBTIQs for fostering, if not adoption. Charles Micallef Via email Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications