LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- News that a British soldier died after he received the cancerous lungs of a heavy smoker has sparked intense debate as to whether organs from people with unhealthy lifestyles should be used in transplants . Surgeons `` are n't in a position in to turn down organs because they 're not absolutely perfect . '' Corporal Matthew Millington , 31 , died in 2008 , less than a year after receiving a transplant at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire , England . However a transplant surgeon has told CNN that smokers organs will continue to be used as long as medical services face a severe shortage of organs . Chris Watson , vice president of the British Transplantation Society , told CNN that 49 percent of last year 's lung donors in the UK were smokers . `` We 're not in the luxurious position in transplantation to turn down organs because they 're not absolutely perfect -- there are very few perfect organs , '' he said . What should be done to encourage organ donation ? `` In the case of Corporal Millington the donor had a chest X-ray , broncoscopy and a careful inspection of the lungs once they were removed , '' he said . `` When they found the tumor in Corporal Millington it was seven millimeters across and it was likely to have been two or three millimeters when it was transplanted . To find something that small you 'd need to chop the lungs up into fine pieces , and then you ca n't transplant . '' The UK National Health Service National Reporting and Learning Service ( NRLS ) recently released an alert saying it had found 11 reported incidents `` relating to the condition of an organ for transplant or other errors . '' One incident reported to the NRLS read : `` Kidney arrived completely surrounded by fat and muscle -- nothing was recognizable . After dissection , a fatty tumor appeared on the upper pole , decision was taken to transplant anyway . `` After unclamping , there was a massive bleed from the tumor leading to urgent transplantectomy -- kidney sent to the path lab -- renal cell carcinoma ... not fit for purpose . '' Watson told CNN that organs are thoroughly tested for suitability before they are transplanted . He said that once a patient has been diagnosed as brain dead and donation is a possibility , a donor coordinator will approach their family to learn more about the patient 's history . Medics ask about the donor 's medical history and lifestyle . They also take a blood test and may contact the donor 's doctor for more information . But Watson stresses that medics only have a few hours between diagnosis of brain death and organ removal . When the organs are removed the donor 's body is examined for evidence of infection , cancer , or anything else that might affect decision to use an organ . In the case of lung transplants , the donor will have a chest x-ray and broncoscopy , where an endoscope is used to examine lungs from the inside . `` The main thing is how well lungs work , '' Watson told CNN . `` We would check blood gases , taking a blood sample and seeing how much oxygen is dissolved in the blood to see how well lungs are working . `` If they work well and there 's no evidence of any problems then we would use them , regardless of if they came from a smoker . '' Watson says a biopsy is carried out on donated livers to check for any damage . He says fatty livers are common , not because the donor is overweight , but as a result of the donor having been starved in intensive care . Different organs have different tolerances to being without a blood supply . Watson says a heart does n't respond well to being out of the body for more than three or four hours . Livers can remain viable for around 12 hours and kidneys for about 24 hours . Those time constraints mean medics have to make quick judgments about the suitability of donated organs , even if it that means using imperfect organs . `` We 're happy to use the organs available knowing they 're not ideal and we 'll make the best use of them and keep them functioning as well as we can , '' said Watson . `` The alternative for recipients is to die , so there 's really not much choice for them . ''
Surgeon says shortages of donors mean they must use imperfect organs . 49 percent of last year 's lung donors in the UK were smokers . U.S. doctors say one in five donated organs may have a problem . They are thoroughly checked for suitability before transplant , says surgeon .