The present trend toward routine inquiry appears to be based on the false premise that the individual's wishes cannot be known and that, therefore, the family is the only alternative for making donation decisions. The UAGA states that the family should be turned to only when the wishes of the individual are not known.To protect the right of individuals to make their own decision, an effective and efficient process for making the wishes of individuals known should be devised and the (...) UAGA amended accordingly. I have presented the policy of strong required request as the best way to effectively protect the rights that the UAGA ostensibly gives to the individual. This policy ensures that the individual's wishes, both for and against donation, are known. It also alleviates some of the problems in the original approach that hindered the procurement of organs from willing donors. Strong required request saves families from making critical decisions, which may be painful and conflicted for some, at a time of emotional shock and grief. (shrink)