Under presumed consent, what happens if the deceased explicitly refused donor?

• A. Consent is not assumed and donation does not proceed.
• B. Donation proceeds unless the family objects.
• C. Family must provide consent.
• D. Doctors decide in absence of policy.

Answer: (A)

In a presumed-consent system, everyone is treated as a potential donor unless they have opted out or clearly refused. The crucial point is that a definitive, explicit refusal by the person themselves overrides the presumption. So if the deceased explicitly refused to donate, that refusal stops the donation process and no donation proceeds.

The idea isn’t that family objections always allow donation; rather, explicit refusals by the person are binding, even in opt-out contexts. Likewise, there is a policy framework guiding decisions, not doctors acting on their own without guidance.