Divisive Organ Donation Proposal Nears End

DENVER (AP) - A Colorado proposal to increase organ donations by making all driver's license applicants organ donors unless they opt out appeared headed to its demise Wednesday.

Senate Bill 42 would have made Colorado the first state to change to "presumed consent" organ and tissue donation. The practice has been credited for boosting donation rates in parts of Europe, but the change prompted an outcry of opposition in Colorado, even from groups promoting organ donation.

The Democratic sponsor has said she'll ask a Senate committee to reject the bill after many people worried that "presumed consent" would be coercive.

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