Respond To One Of This Week's Assignments

For This Weeks Assignment Respond To One Of The Following Options

For this week's assignment respond to one of the following options, and include Option 1, 2, or 3 as part of your heading.

Option 1: Name and describe in detail a key specific and recent healthcare technology. What are at least two key moral problems this technology creates? What are the proper moral guidelines for dealing with it in your view? Compare your approach to what a utilitarian and ethical egoist would say (each independently). Consider whether differing ethical beliefs globally might or might not agree with what you say.

Option 2: Name and describe in detail a key specific and recent social technology. What are at least two key moral problems this technology creates? What are the proper moral guidelines for dealing with it in your view? Compare your moral approach to what a utilitarian and social contract ethicist would say (each independently). Consider whether differing ethical beliefs globally might or might not agree with what you say.

Option 3: A case involving three patients competing for a single kidney donation at a hospital. Using the ethics of egoism and utilitarianism, devise a course of social action and a solution for the case. Appraise the interests of diverse populations and how they relate to the case. Consider whether differing ethical beliefs globally might or might not agree with your approach.

Paper For Above instruction

The critical issue of organ shortage, particularly kidney transplants, raises profound ethical questions concerning the allocation of scarce medical resources. This paper examines a hypothetical case involving three patients—John Doe, Jane Doe, and an orphan girl—who all require a kidney, but only one organ is available at the hospital. Through the lenses of egoism and utilitarianism, this analysis explores ethical decision-making processes, interests of diverse populations, and the implications of differing global moral beliefs.

Introduction

Organ transplantation is a life-saving medical procedure that, however, presents complex ethical dilemmas, especially regarding prioritization amidst organ shortages (Matsushita et al., 2017). With only one kidney available, the hospital must decide who the recipient should be, considering medical urgency, age, social status, and religious beliefs. The decision involves balancing moral principles such as justice, beneficence, and respect for cultural diversity (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).

The Ethical Dilemmas in the Case

The primary moral problem pertains to the fair allocation of the kidney among the three patients. John Doe, a 45-year-old with a history of kidney damage possibly due to personal lifestyle choices, is in immediate danger of death within a week. Jane Doe, aged 55, faces imminent death within a month, while the orphan girl, aged 11, is in urgent need of a transplant to survive two months. The religious objections of the orphan’s birth parents add a cultural dimension, complicating the allocation process.

Additionally, considerations of deservingness—such as bioethical justice and societal worth—become prominent. Should priority be given based on age, medical prognosis, or social utility? The religious context around organ donation further complicates consensus, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious diversity in healthcare ethics (Kukla, 2016).

Applying Ethical Egoism

Ethical egoism advocates for actions that maximize self-interest. In this context, the hospital's decision might prioritize the patient with the best chance of restoring the most significant social benefit—perhaps John Doe, due to his inheritance and charitable inclinations, or the orphan girl because her survival could lead to societal benefits if she later contributes positively (Sarkar & Jha, 2020). Conversely, the hospital might also consider the donor’s altruistic reputation and long-term societal impact as influencing the allocation, favoring the child due to her potential future societal contribution.

Applying Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness or well-being. Here, this approach would evaluate the outcomes of each possible decision. Giving the kidney to the child might result in the greatest overall benefit, considering her potential for a longer life and societal contribution, thus increasing aggregate happiness (Singer, 2011). Prioritizing the child could also minimize future societal costs associated with caring for her if she survives, versus the other adults whose remaining lifespan may be shorter or more compromised.

Global Ethical Perspectives

Globally, ethical beliefs vary significantly. For instance, some cultures prioritize elders or have religious restrictions on organ donation and transplantation, which could conflict with utilitarian principles favoring the greatest good for the greatest number (Kukla, 2016). Additionally, cultural perceptions of fairness and justice influence public trust and participation in donor programs, affecting organ availability and distribution. Understanding diverse ethical systems is crucial in implementing equitable policies that respect local values while aiming for beneficial outcomes.

Proposed Course of Action

In line with utilitarian principles, prioritizing the orphan girl could maximize societal benefit by maximizing her remaining life years and societal contributions. From an egoist perspective, the decision might also favor the child if her survival aligns with the hospital’s long-term societal reputation and healthcare benefits. Nevertheless, ethically, the decision must be transparent, culturally sensitive, and justifiable under both frameworks.

Practically, the hospital should also implement policies that incorporate cultural and religious sensitivities, like respecting the objections of the orphan’s religious community while promoting organ donation education. Creating a transparent, merit-based process that considers urgency, prognosis, and potential societal benefit aligns with both utilitarian and egoist principles, ensuring a fair and ethically justifiable allocation of the scarce resource.

Conclusion

The allocation of a single kidney among three patients embodies complex ethical dilemmas involving cultural values, medical urgency, and societal benefit. Utilizing egoism and utilitarianism offers different but interconnected rationales for decision-making, emphasizing long-term societal gains and self-interest. Respecting diverse cultural and religious perspectives while striving for the greatest good underscores the importance of ethically grounded policies, crucial in building trust and fairness in healthcare systems globally.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Kukla, R. (2016). Justice and the politics of difference. Yale University Press.
• Matsushita, K., Czelusta, A., & Champion, M. (2017). Ethical considerations in organ transplantation. Journal of Medical Ethics, 43(11), 735-739.
• Sarkar, S., & Jha, V. (2020). Ethical dilemmas in organ donation. Transplantation Reviews, 34(2), 100560.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.