Ethical Dilemma in Organ Transplant Allocation

by | May 4, 2024 | philosophy

 

 

 

Ethical Dilemma in Organ Transplant Allocation

Your goal is to find or create an ethical dilemma, research and propose a potential solution following a step-by-step process. You need to research your issue, the ethical schools of thought (theories) you believe are applicable, the pros and cons, and then conclude with your final proposal. An ethical dilemma is a problem having an ethical component to it. A simple example is finding a wallet with money it and identification; should you return it? Why? How do you make your decision? For this case study, you need a more complex ethical dilemma.

Main Steps

Obtain relevant facts of the issue; address why it’s important. At this level, you should address at least what you know about the situation – as well as what you don’t know; even more significant is the amount
of time available. Often this is the determining factor in what will ultimately be done.
Identify the main ethical issues; usually there are 1 or 2 main ethical issues, and several sub-issues stemming from the key issues; try to cover main problem(s) and then 1 sub-issue if possible.
Determine who or what is affected by these dilemmas; who are the stakeholders? Who wins, loses? Who
is helped by this? Who is hurt? Why?
Identify viable solutions/options based on 2 ethical schools of thought we’re studying this semester. For example: utilitarianism, egoism, virtue ethics, social contract, deontology, – or any version of these. At this point, you may want to rank them from best to worst by considering which is the least problematic, yet still most effective. This can be quite difficult.
Identify at least 1-2 specific consequences – both long-term/short term- for each alternative/school of thought. Explain in detail and use examples.
Make a choice (in your conclusion) and provide a philosophical argument supporting why your solution is the best by comparing and contrasting the benefits and liabilities of your solution to the one(s) you believe is/are the worst and/or second best. You may want to integrate a discussion on the original circumstances which created this dilemma in the first place – and how it might be avoided in the future.
Use 2 sources, APA or MLA format; 5-7 pages total.
Grammar, spelling, sentence structure, clarity in writing, formatting, organization,

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

 

 

Ethical Dilemma in Organ Transplant Allocation

Introduction

Organ transplantation is a life-saving medical procedure that raises complex ethical dilemmas, particularly in the allocation of organs. The shortage of available organs has led to the development of allocation systems that aim to distribute organs fairly and effectively. However, ethical issues arise when determining who should receive priority for organ transplantation. This essay will explore the ethical dilemma in organ transplant allocation, identify the main ethical issues, discuss the stakeholders involved, propose potential solutions based on ethical theories, analyze the consequences of each solution, and conclude with a recommended course of action.

Relevant Facts and Importance

The shortage of donor organs is a critical issue in organ transplantation. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), there are currently over 100,000 individuals on the waiting list for organ transplants in the United States alone. This scarcity of organs necessitates the development of allocation systems that prioritize certain patients based on various factors such as medical urgency, patient outcomes, and equity.

Main Ethical Issues

The main ethical issue in organ transplant allocation is the fair distribution of a scarce resource. Determining who should receive priority for organ transplantation raises questions of justice, equity, and beneficence. Additionally, issues of transparency and trust in the allocation process can also be significant ethical concerns.

Stakeholders

The stakeholders in organ transplant allocation include patients on the waiting list, healthcare providers, organ procurement organizations, policymakers, and the general public. Patients waiting for organ transplants stand to benefit or suffer based on the allocation decisions made. Healthcare providers must navigate ethical dilemmas when determining treatment options for their patients. Organ procurement organizations play a crucial role in facilitating organ donation and allocation. Policymakers are responsible for creating and implementing regulations regarding organ transplant allocation. The general public has a vested interest in ensuring that the allocation process is fair and transparent.

Viable Solutions Based on Ethical Theories

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism suggests that the best course of action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being. In the context of organ transplant allocation, a utilitarian approach may prioritize patients with the highest chance of survival or those who would benefit the most from the transplant.

Deontology

Deontology emphasizes moral rules and duties. In organ transplant allocation, a deontological approach may prioritize fairness and equal consideration of all patients on the waiting list, regardless of their medical condition or social status.

Consequences of Each Solution

– Utilitarianism: Prioritizing patients based on medical urgency may lead to better overall outcomes in terms of survival rates. However, it could also disadvantage patients with less severe conditions who may still benefit from a transplant.
– Deontology: Ensuring equal consideration for all patients promotes fairness and transparency in the allocation process. However, it may not necessarily prioritize those with the greatest medical need.

Recommended Solution

After considering the implications of both utilitarianism and deontology in organ transplant allocation, a hybrid approach that combines elements of both theories may be most effective. This approach could involve prioritizing patients based on medical urgency while also ensuring that fairness and equity are upheld in the allocation process. By striking a balance between maximizing overall outcomes and promoting ethical principles such as fairness and transparency, this hybrid solution aims to address the complex ethical dilemmas inherent in organ transplant allocation.

Conclusion

Organ transplant allocation presents a challenging ethical dilemma due to the scarcity of donor organs and the need to prioritize patients based on various factors. By considering ethical theories such as utilitarianism and deontology, stakeholders can navigate these complex issues and strive to develop fair and effective allocation systems. Moving forward, it is essential to continue exploring ways to improve organ donation rates, enhance transparency in the allocation process, and uphold ethical principles in organ transplant practices.

In conclusion, addressing the ethical issues in organ transplant allocation requires a thoughtful consideration of various ethical theories and their implications for stakeholders involved in the process. By prioritizing both patient outcomes and ethical principles such as fairness and transparency, it is possible to navigate this complex ethical dilemma and work towards more equitable and effective organ transplant allocation systems.

 

 

 

 

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