Bio Ethics: Organ Transplant - Essay Example

? Bioethics of the February 10, Bioethics Bioethics refers to the numerous ethical approaches commonly applied in dealing with medical or biological issues (Kuhse, p3). The topic is mainly concerned with relationships among the various aspects that could affect an ethical approach in medical practice. The numerous aspects affecting application of bioethics continue to be identified as major debates of human enquiry. The allocation of scarce healthcare resources continues to be an increasingly discussed element of bioethics. As opposed to other ethical values of humans, bioethics concerns the application of ethical values in biological and medical practice. Commonly discussed bioethical values include aspects dealing with life, like abortion, surrogacy among others. Bioethics seeks to achieve biomedical practices exhibiting human dignity (Jonsen, p198). Though they cannot be considered as moral values, the application of bioethics ensures proper undertaking of biomedical operations. Organ transplant falls among the scarce healthcare resources that continue to be identified as essential bioethical elements. Organ transplant could be defined as biological tissue or organ donation from one person to another (Jonsen, p295). The person offering the biological tissues is referred as donor and the person receiving, a recipient. The biological dilemma in organ transplant remains the ability for the donor to receive reimbursements for the donated biological tissues. Necessary legislation regarding the issue of conducting organ transplants differs within different countries. The various legislations existing in this field concern the availability of consent from the donating party. In opt-in system the requirement remains for donors to give consent, while in opt-out system the requirement remains for donor not to refuse. In the latter system, failure to refuse indicates a probable donor, while the former system offering consent confirms an individual as a donor. The fundamental issues regarding organ transplant remain naturally semantic. This follows the confusing definition of essential clinical terminologies. The translation of several clinical terminologies in the legal platform continues to be a debatable point within the aspect of organ transplant. The controversies revolving around the legal definition of terms like death, life, among others continue to create immense confusion within the medical profession regarding organ donation (Rachels, p176). The legal determination of the qualifications of donors differs from the medical identification of donors. While an individual might meet all required specifications of donors legally, the same individual might not meet the medical requirement. While the law requires donors to provide consents regarding acceptance to donate, medical testing might reveal the possibility of transplant rejection. Following the legalization of organ selling, transplants continue to be viewed by many as treatment methods for the rich. Stereotypes continue to develop leading to donating individuals being perceived as extremely impoverished. Attaching commercial and financial values to biological organs essentially creates a controversial situation surrounding the transplant (Rachels, p189). In the developed nations, for example, the demand for biological tissues surpasses the supply. In third-world countries the situation occurs in the opposite of the developed nations. Discussions continue to elicit mixed reactions among concerned parties. Within the underdeveloped countries, concerns continue to be mounted regarding exploitation of the poor by the rich. Introduction of financial reimbursement for donors appears as attractive to poor people as a method of improving economic status. In one case involving Ruth Sparrow, the woman experienced financial constraint following gall bladder surgery. Having a medical bill of $20,000, the woman sought to trade her kidney on condition the hospital clears her pending bill. The administration refused the offer, inherently forcing the woman to seek other channels of settling the medical bills. Running a newspaper advertisement appeared to be the only viable solution to seeking a buyer. The woman ran an advertisement seeking to sell one kidney at $30,000. The newspaper running the advertisement, however, pulled the advertisement within two days. This followed the regulations within the state of Florida. State legislation illegalizes trading in human tissues and organs. Ruth sparrow failed to find a buyer owing to the illegalization of selling human tissues. The legislation, however, allows for advertisement for donation of tissues. In another similar case, a girl born with one kidney lived under medication for 13 years. The father, imprisoned for twelve years, donated his kidney to the daughter. This lead to the girl enjoying normal living conditions for the first time in her lifetime. The dialysis treatment carried out on the girl seemed expensive for the family to undertake. Two years after receiving the kidney transplant, the received kidney began showing symptoms of failure. Upon receiving the news, the father, while still in prison, offered the second kidney to his daughter. The medical situation experienced in this case remained unprecedented. The ethical implication of the entire situation lay in saving the daughter, while sentencing the father to a painful, medical treatment for eternity. The medical expenses for the father would be covered by the government, owing to his imprisonment. Considering the ethical aspect, and financial element involved, the issue was referred to the ethics committee. While some members appeared against the decision, the chairman seemed to support the parent’s decision fully. The chairman argued that the resolution involved a parental sacrifice and not ethical values (Kuhse, p 74). Applying an ethical framework, the Sparrow case would essentially be decided without considering the impacts of the legislation. The hospital bill presented a surmountable financial pressure on the victim. Ethically, the individual would be at liberty to seek any desired source of financing for settling he hospital bills. An assessment of the patient’s medical situation would become essential in determining the way forwards in the Sparrow case. Available information seems to indicate majority of donors selling their biological tissues as regretting their actions in future. The patient fails to analyze the impact of losing the kidney on her medical condition. While she seeks to sell the kidney, and raise money to settle pending hospital bills, she fails to consider the medical expenses that might be incurred. Having undergone a surgery, the patient might become vulnerable with one kidney. The existing elements regarding transplant continue to pose immense bioethics concerns among medical practitioners. Bioethics remains the best element to apply in making decisions regarding organ transplants. Consideration of factors relating to financial implications ought to come after considering the well –being of the donor and recipient. Consideration of ethical values could essentially enhance decision-making process regarding organ transplant and related issues. References Jonsen, Albert R. The birth of bioethics. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Kuhse, Helga & Singer, Peter. A Companion to Bioethics (2nd edition). West Sussex: Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2009. Rachels, J. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 2nd Edition. New York: McGraw Hill, 1993. Read More