20:17
Tieng Anh Vui
Controversial Welsh government plans for a system of presumed consent for organ donation will be voted on by assembly members later.
The proposed opt-out system would mean everyone is deemed to be a willing organ donor when they die, unless they object beforehand.
But opponents want families to be able to stop a donation if their relative did not express an opinion either way.
Ministers want to increase the number of donors for transplant by a quarter.
There has been opposition to the changes from Christian churches and from within the Muslim and Jewish communities.
It would mean a change from the current opt-in system, where would-be donors have to sign a register.
A statement from faith leaders and health professionals - signed by the Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan and others - calls for a so-called "soft opt-out scheme" in the Human Transplantation Bill.
They say it would give deceased patients' families a say on donation if their relative had neither opted in or out.
A joint statement says that failure to make changes to the Bill would be "inhuman, unfeeling before the suffering of relatives, and a danger to the public trust and support which are necessary for the practice of organ donation to flourish".
It adds: "Without this there is a real danger that the law could backfire."
If passed by AMs on Tuesday, the presumed consent system could come into force by 2015.
The Welsh government hopes legislation will lead to 15 extra donors leaving around 45 more organs for transplant each year.
As currently happens, organs could go to recipients anywhere in the UK, not just in Wales.
Of around 250 potential donors in 2011, 67 left organs.
The presumed consent law would apply to over-18s who die in Wales if they have lived in Wales for more than six months.
People will be able to sign up to the organ donor register so their wishes will be known if they die outside Wales.
ORGAN DONATION FIGURES
- The aim of the Bill is to increase the number of organs available from Wales, potentially by 25%
- On latest figures this would see the number of donors rise from around 65 donors to 80.
- The average number of transplants anticipated from 15 additional donors would be approximately 26 kidneys, 10 livers, two hearts and four lungs
- Just over 30% of organs donated in Wales are transplanted into people living in Wales
If the law is changed, ministers will have a duty to publicise the system and almost £8m will be spent over 10 years.
The Bill would involve transferring some powers from the UK government to Welsh ministers.
'Further progress'
The Kidney Wales Foundation (KWF) has campaigned for a law change on organ donation and described the Bill as "progressive law".
Roy Thomas, KWF chief executive, said: "The Welsh government has seen this Bill scrutinised properly and several detailed consultations have been undertaken with the Welsh public.
"Wales has been at the forefront of organ donation with development of the Organ Donor Register in the 1980s to having the DVLA communicate on the issue when sending out driving licences.
"This law is further progress and evidence shows it will increase donation rates."
Shadow health minister Darren Millar AM said it was a landmark day and it was essential the issues continued to be properly debated, including increased awareness and the rights of the family.
"Deemed consent represents a significant and controversial departure from the current system and there are a number of anxieties that must continue to be scrutinised and appropriately addressed," he said.
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