CONTROVERSIAL calls to put a automatic organ donation system in place have been made by doctor leaders.

The British Medical Association have (BMA) passed an motion to urge doctors to lobby the governments in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to implement the system.

Currently Britain has an 'opt-in' system where a person has to register their consent to donate their organs in the event of their death.

Under an opt-out system there would be a presumption in favour of consent for organ donation unless a person had registered an objection in advance.

However if an objection had not been registered, family members would still be given the opportunity to confirm whether the individual had any unregistered objection before any procedures.

Dr Midrul Datta, consultant at Audley Health Centre in Blackburn, said: "Donating organs is an amazing feat undertaken by surgeons every day.

"One liver can be shared between two or three people and two kidneys can help two people, its wonderful.

"Having an automatic opting out system could go against a lot of people's faiths and cultures, and with the world we live in today that could have an impact on a lot of people in the UK.

"I would happily donate all my organs when I die, but a lot of people would think differently."

Residents in Wales have always had to opt-out of organ donation.

County councillor Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "This is a very controversial topic.

"I don't think an opt-out system would work because if someone is against it and doesn't fill out the paper work in time, there could be nothing stopping their organs being used.

"I think more should be done to improve the current system and people need to be more aware of what exactly would happen.

"This would give people a chance to make a more balanced, well-rounded choice."

Dr John Chisholm, chair of the BMA's medical ethics committee, said: "The BMA has long believed that an opt-out system, as part of an overall package of measures to increase donation, increase rates even further and save more lives.

"Indeed, the BMA has been lobbying for this change throughout the UK since 1999 and will continue to do so."