In France, organ and tissue donation
is governed by bioethics laws
. The three main principles are presumed consent, free donation and anonymity between donor and recipient.
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Principle of "presumed consent": in France, the law states that we are all organ and tissue donors, unless we have expressed our refusal to donate during our lifetime (either by informing our next of kin, or by registering on the national refusal register).
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Free of charge: organ donation is an act of generosity and solidarity that is entirely free of charge. The law prohibits any remuneration in return.
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Anonymity: the donor's name cannot be communicated to the recipient, and vice versa. The donor's family may, however, be informed of the organs and tissues removed, as well as the results of transplants, if they so request.