A major public health change swept France on New Year's as new regulations making citizens automatic organ donors unless they specifically choose to opt out through a national database took effect.
The new "opt-out" system is aimed at combating widespread organ shortages and long wait lists for transplants. Previously, French citizens who hadn't specified whether or not they wanted donate after dying could have their organs' fate left up to relatives. Now, the responsibility will fall on individuals, and next-of-kin will no longer have carte blanche veto power.
