Transplantation, Essay Example

Should a person in whom a transplant has failed be given a second organ, or should a different person have a first chance?

This issue relates to a situation of medical ethics. According to Beauchamp, Walters, Kahn & Mastroianni (2008) ethics is a way of interpreting, examining and understanding moral life. Normative ethics the writers contend is a type of inquiry which attempts to answer the question Pertaining to which norms are applicable in resolving issues as the one faced in this seeming dilemma (Beauchamp, Walters, Kahn & Mastroianni, 2008, p. 2).

The question posed in this scenario while poses an ethical dilemma can be resolved by answering the question which of these two persons is mostly likely to benefit from the transplant. Already it is known that the first person transplant failed. Without further investigation reasons for the failure, there is the likely hood that it will, fail again. Another question has to be asked and verified is what is the present prognosis of the second patient who has never had a transplant?

After these two questions have been answered and clarifications tendered an analysis at first glance might say that the second patient should have the first chance. However, if the second patient will die anyway whether he/she receives the transplant or not then, that person should not be considered as having the right to a first chance. Even though a transplant might have failed in the first person, there could numerous reasons for the failure. If this patient’s survival with another trial of transplantation would enhance his/her chances of living, then that person should benefit from a second organ.

References

Beauchamp, T. Walters, L., Kahn, J. P., & Mastroianni, A. (2008). Contemporary issues in bioethics (7th ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing