The equation is not quite that simple: in countries with opt-out solutions, the proportion of people who are willing to donate a postmortem organ is higher than in Germany, where the disparity between the need for transplantations and the organs available has never been good and is increasing recently deteriorated again.
However, considerable organizational reforms were needed in Spain, for example, before the opt-out solution introduced in 1979 could unfold its life-saving effect decades later.
It could be similar in this country if the Bundestag had not rejected the objection solution three years ago.
A weighty argument at the time was that one should wait and see the effect of the law, which was intended to improve the structures of transplantation medicine.
In fact, a lot has happened in the clinics, as well as the abstract willingness of citizens to donate organs or tissue if the worst comes to the worst.
However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty and ignorance surrounding this delicate topic.
It is understandable that relatives refuse the requests of organ donation officers under these conditions.
But the status quo must not remain, especially since an objection solution does not prejudice a decision in favor of a donation.
The only compulsion there would be would be to confront one's own death once in a lifetime.