The MSPs will discuss proposals to change to a system of presumed consent for organ donation, whereby people are placed on the organ donor register unless they specifically state otherwise, as part of a wider debate on the Organ Donation Taskforce Report.  

The UK Taskforce’s report, which was published in January, made a number of recommendations for increasing organ donation including: establishing a UK wide organ donation organisation; setting up a UK wide network of Organ Retrieval Teams to ensure timely retrieval of organs; and expanding the current network of donor transplant co-ordinators. However, it will report separately on presumed consent in the summer. 

Speaking ahead of the debate Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said presumed consent is a standpoint she is finding herself “increasingly sympathetic” to. 

Sturgeon said: "MSPs having the chance today to debate this issue is a really important step in the public discussion currently taking place across Scotland on whether to introduce a system of presumed consent. 

"It is a standpoint that I am increasingly sympathetic to, but I recognise others have different opinions on this very emotive subject and today will provide the opportunity to fully explore these.” 

However, despite her sympathies she said that any potential change in the law should carry the weight of public opinion and be based on sound evidence. 

Nevertheless she said there is a desperate shortage of organs for transplant, which she said the Scottish Government is determined to tackle. 

"That is why the Scottish Government is implementing the recommendations from the Organ Donation Taskforce's report of earlier this year to increase the rate of organ donation by 50 per cent in five years.  

"This will be achieved without changing existing law on organ donation. However, in addition to this, I think it's really important that we consider seriously every potential way of increasing donation rates." 

Today’s debate, which will take place in the main chamber this afternoon, coincides with the launch of a TV advertising campaign encouraging people to sign up to the organ donation register that will be shown on Scottish TV channels throughout March. 

Sturgeon said the “hard-hitting” campaign is a “very powerful weapon” in the fight to increase the number of organ donors, adding: "I hope the emotive stories featured in the TV campaign will encourage Scots to sign up and save a life and discuss the issue of organ donation with their loved ones." 

To join the organ donation register, visit: www.infoscotland.com/organdonor 

To read more about organ donation and presumed consent see Holyrood magazine’s Organ Donation Insight, which appeared in the latest edition of the magazine.