The BMA called for an opt-out system

The call came as the BMA in Scotland prepared to give evidence to MSPs on the Human Tissue (Scotland) Bill.

Dr Bill O'Neill, Scottish Secretary of the BMA, said the Scottish Executive was wasting an opportunity by not including presumed consent in the bill.

The system would assume a person wished to donate their organs after death unless they declared an opposite view.

Dr O'Neill said: "There is an increasing gap between the supply of organs for donation and the numbers of people requiring a transplant.

"A system of presumed consent could go some way to bridging this gap.

"We believe there is growing public support for such a shift and we hope that public debate on this very important issue will continue during the passage of the bill."