Finns Support Easier Organ Donations, Gay Church Marriage

Three-fourths of respondents in a Taloustutkimus poll say they support a government bill that removes the right of next-of-kin to block organ donations.

Only one in five respondents want to maintain the current donor practice that gives next-of-kin a veto right if the deceased does not have a donor card.

Last year there were at least 15 incidents in Finland in which next-of-kin blocked organ donations from deceased relatives that could have been used in transplant operations. It is estimated that 20-30 people die in the country each year because donors are not available. At present some 300 people are awaiting organs from suitable donors.

The survey was commissioned by regional dailies Keskisuomalaisen, Etelä-Suomen Sanomat, Karjalainen and Savon Sanomat. One thousand Finns were interviewed in the poll.

Gay Marriage Attracts Support

The Sunday newspaper supplement Sunnuntaisuomalainen meanwhile reports that 44 percent of Finns say they believe the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church should perform religious ceremonies for same-sex couples, according to a Taloustutkimus poll.

However, 39 percent of people polled say they oppose the Church blessing same-sex partnerships. Seventeen percent were undecided on the issue. One thousand Finns were interviewed in the survey.

Last week, Sweden's Lutheran Church began conducting wedding ceremonies for homosexual couples.

Finland’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will discuss the matter next spring. Although Finland legalised same-sex unions in 2002, the church still lacks an official policy on the subject.