Parliament in the Netherlands has this week approved a new law that makes all Dutch adults potential organ donors unless they opt out.
The law was approved by a slim margin, of 38-36 votes.
The law's drafter, Pia Dijkstra, said under the new system every Dutch person over 18 not registered as a donor will receive a letter asking if they want to donate their organs after death.
"They will be able to reply: yes, no, my next of kin will decide or a specific person will decide," Dijkstra said in a statement.
Those who do not respond to the first letter, or to a second letter six weeks later, will be considered organ donors, although they can amend their status at any time.