Consider this scenario: an individual has suffered severe chronic heart failure and desperately needs a heart transplant to survive. In some countries, there’s a ray of hope for such an individual, but in Taiwan, the outlook appears gloomier. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan saw organ donations from a mere 396 people in 2020, translating as roughly 17 donors per million population (pmp), a rate considerably lower than that of many developed nations.
Organ donation is a vital and often life-saving medical procedure in which organs from a donor, living or deceased, are legally transferred to a recipient in urgent need. The organs that can be donated, such as kidneys, livers, and hearts, symbolize the hope of a new lease on life for those battling lifelong disabilities or terminal illnesses.
In Taiwan, the landscape of organ donation is delicate, shaped by legal frameworks and ethical considerations. Individuals wishing to donate their organs can register on a Web site or by signing a written consent form. The legal foundation for organ donation is the Human Organ Transplantation Act, which was implemented in 1987 and was the first of its kind in Asia. Despite this early legislative support, the deep-rooted cultural belief in preserving the body intact after death deters many from considering organ donation.
Photo: Freepik / 照片：Freepik
In sharp contrast, Spain leads globally in organ donation, boasting a record-breaking rate of approximately 49 donors pmp in 2023. This achievement is largely attributed to Spain’s opt-out system, which considers all citizens to be potential donors by default unless they explicitly state otherwise, unlike Taiwan’s opt-in system. Also critical to Spain’s success are its extensive campaigns to raise public awareness and a sophisticated national transplant system capable of retrieving organs from donors whose hearts are no longer beating. The comprehensive approach has made Spain a pioneer in organ donation efforts.
The exploration of organ donation practices in Taiwan and Spain highlights the significant differences in this medical area across the globe. Despite these differences, it’s clear that at the heart of organ donation lies a universal truth: one single decision could potentially save a life.
思考一下這個情景：有個人患有嚴重的慢性心臟衰竭，迫切需要心臟移植才能生存。在一些國家，這樣的人是有一線希望的，但在臺灣，前景似乎更不樂觀。即使在新冠疫情大流行之前，臺灣在西元2020 年的器官捐贈人數也僅有 396人，相當於每百萬人口約17位捐贈者，這個比例遠低於許多已開發國家。
器官捐贈是一道至關緊要且常常可以挽救生命的醫療程序，以手術從捐贈者（無論是活著還是已故的人）身上合法轉移器官給有急需的受贈者。腎臟、肝臟和心臟等可以捐贈的器官對那些與終身殘疾或末期疾病奮鬥的人而言，象徵著重獲新生的希望。
在臺灣，器官捐贈的情況很微妙，這是受到法律框架和倫理道德考量所影響而成的。希望捐贈器官的人可以在網站上或簽署書面同意書進行登記。器官捐贈的法律基礎是西元1987年實施、亞洲首創的《人體器官移植條例》。儘管早期就有這種法律支持，但認為死後應當保持身體完整的深植文化觀念阻礙了許多人考慮器官捐贈。
與此形成鮮明對比的是，西班牙在器官捐贈方面處於全球領先地位，西元2023年的捐贈率為每百萬人口約49位捐贈者，創下了紀錄。這項成就在很大程度上歸功於西班牙的推定同意制，除非公民有明確表示反對，否則該制度將所有公民都默認為潛在的捐贈者，而不像臺灣的選擇同意制。對西班牙的成功還很關鍵的是該國用來提高公眾意識的廣泛宣傳活動，以及能夠從心臟不再跳動的捐贈者身上摘取器官的先進國家移植系統。這種全面性的方法使西班牙成為器官捐贈行動的先驅。
對器官捐贈在臺灣和西班牙實踐情況的探索凸顯了全球在這個醫療領域中的顯著差異。儘管存在這些差異，但顯然器官捐贈的核心是一個普遍的真理：單單一個決定或許就能夠拯救一條生命。
字識庫Word Power
default 可作「名詞」或「動詞」用，常見用法如下：
1. (n.) 預設；默認 & (vi.)（電子裝置）預設選擇
by default 在預設情況下（如單字例句）
default value / setting 預設值／設定
After experiencing several computer failures, Ron restored the computer to its default settings.
default to sth （電子裝置）預設為……
The smartphone system will default to English if no other language is selected.
2. (n.) & (v.) 違約；不履行
in default (on sth) 拖欠（款項）
George is in default on his loan due to financial difficulties and unemployment.
default (on) sth 違反……（的約定）；拖欠……（的款項）
If you default (on) your payments, you risk losing your house as a guarantee.
3. in default of 因……的欠缺
The judge dismissed the case in default of evidence provided by the prosecution.
MORE INFORMATION
pandemic n. 疫情；疾病大流行
deceased adj. 已故的；去世的
deep-rooted adj. 根深蒂固的
approximately adv. 大約；近乎
retrieve vt. 取回；復得
comprehensive adj. 全面的；綜合性的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. transplant n. 移植；移植器官
transplantation n.（總稱）移植
Tammy had a kidney transplant to improve her health and quality of life.
塔米接受了腎臟移植以改善她的健康和生活品質。
2. outlook n. 前景；觀點
Analysts are optimistic about the outlook for the economy next year.
分析師對明年的經濟前景持樂觀態度。
3. donor n. 捐獻者；捐贈者
donate v. 捐獻；捐贈
donation n. 捐獻；捐贈
Family members are often the first choice as suitable donors.
家庭成員往往是合適捐贈者的首選。
4. lifelong adj. 終身的；一輩子的
Online courses offer opportunities for lifelong learning and skill improvement.
線上課程提供終身學習和技能提升的機會。
5. terminal adj.（疾病）末期的；終末的
The patient was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given limited time.
該名病人被診斷出罹患晚期癌症，餘下生命時間很有限。
6. framework n. 框架；架構；體系
The report provides a general framework for addressing environmental issues.
這份報告提供解決環境問題的總體框架。
7. consent n. 同意；應允
Parents must give consent to field trips before their children can go.
家長必須先同意校外教學，孩子才能出發。
8. deter vt. 阻止；使打消念頭（三態 deter-deterred-deterred
deter sb from + N / V-ing 阻止某人去做……
The high cost of repairs deterred Paula from buying the old car.
高昂的維修費用使寶拉打消了買這輛舊車的念頭。
9. default n. 預設；默認
The smartphone’s location services are turned on by default for convenience.
為了方便起見，手機的定位服務預設為開啟。
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