... is a not-for-profit Organ Procurement Organization (OPO), which provides procurement services for the recovery of organs and tissues utilized for transplant purposes. Some individuals choose, while living, to become donors of these tissues upon their death. This is termed a “first-person authorization” and is a legal binding document that cannot be revoked by the family or legal next-of-kin. However, there are occasions where families fiercely object to donation and MTN must reflect on what path is the most ethical to pursue; follow the wishes of the donor or concede to the objection of the family. This paper will examine the three theories of ethics: utilitarian, principle-based, and virtue and discuss which theory applies to this ethical dilemma. Introduction Midwest Organ Bank was originally founded in 1973 with the sole purpose of providing organ transplant and procurement services to transplant centers and hospitals throughout Kansas and Western Missouri communities. Organs recovered for transplant included kidneys, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and intestines. In 1990 Midwest Organ Bank added tissue recovery services to their scope of practice to enable the transplant of life-enhancing tissues. These tissues included heart valves, bone, skin, and blood vessels. In 1998 the addition of eye banking services was added in order to provide the opportunity for corneal transplants. With the expansion of services being provided, Midwest Organ Bank changed its name...
Words: 2049 - Pages: 9
...Organ donation is highly debated in Britain. One of the issues is about the current donor system. Another issue is the way people can choose to donate their organs. The focus in the article "We Must Change the Organ Donation System" by Denis Campbell is the way people become donors today and if that should be changed. Campbell suggests the system is changed to a so-called "presumed consent" system where you are a donor when you are born. If you do not want to be a donor you have to change it, where today you need to register as a donor. Another problem with today's system is, as Campbell points out, that even if you are a donor, your family need to give their accept too, which can be an unnecessary distress for them. Another angle in the debate is the options people have when they want to donate an organ, and this brings some ethic dilemmas. "The Ethics of Organ Donation by Living Donors" by Robert D. Troug discusses these dilemmas. Today a living donor can give an organ to a loved one, donate an organ to the general pool or a directed donation to a stranger. In all three types of donations there are ethic problems. Because a living donor can give an organ to a family member, this can put pressure on the donor, and there is examples of medical staff helping the person lie about a reason not to donate. The directed donation can also be problematic. It can discriminate people waiting for an organ if the donor for instance only want to donate to white females. Finally, the general...
Words: 405 - Pages: 2
...welcome event that can alleviate pain and suffering and can sometimes save the life of another. A simple decision to become an organ donor can save lives and improve the quality of life of recipients. Receiving a needed organ facilitates a restoration of physiological functioning and often means the difference between life and death. Many people have misconceptions regarding organ donation and simply do not understand the facts. Some do not realize the vast numbers on waiting lists and how simply becoming a donor could save the life of another. Others may be apprehensive about making a decision about their bodies after death. In this paper we explain the origins and history of organ donation, the process by which organs are donated, the ethical implications behind organ donation and discuss many of the proposed solutions to solve the organ shortage issue. HISTORY OF ORGAN DONATION The origins of organ donation arose with several experimental transplants. The first successful transplant was a bone transplant in 1878, which used a bone from a cadaver. (14) Experimentally, bone marrow transplants began by giving patients bone marrow orally after meals to cure leukemia. This had no effect, but later when they used intravenous injections to treat aplastic anemia, there was some effect (14). One development that largely aided organ donation was the discovery of blood groups in the early 20th century. The first recorded kidney transplant was in 1909 and was a rabbit...
Words: 3991 - Pages: 16
...Pro’s and con’s of organ donation -Theis TEXT 1: We must change the organ donation system – An article written by Denis Campbell, published in The Guardian News. The narrator Denis Campbell stays very neutral to the issue throughout the whole article and he only seems interested in knowing other peoples opinion. As a result of such he interviewed two different persons and had their opinion on the matter. Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer in England – States that he wants the current system switched in the UK. He, among many people in the UK thinks change is overdue. The current system for organ donation in the UK have an opt-in system that only allows retrieving of organs from citizens who either have a donor card or are signed up in the Organ Donor Register. He would like the whole policy of organ donation to change into what’s known as presumed consent which allows the retrieving of organs from all citizens after their death that haven’t already, before death, refused permission for that to happen. His argument for the system change lies within the massive organs that are wasted. The organs of all the citizens who haven’t got a donor card or are registered for donation will be wasted because they simply didn’t care about organ donation. By changing the system no dead citizen or his/hers family will get upset and organ donation will be possible for a way larger group than now. Natalie Sillince – Explains how the current system forced a very unpleasant and...
Words: 1271 - Pages: 6
...Organ Donation and its Impact on HIM and Documentation Kathleen Gallagher Rasmussen College Author Note This research is being submitted on November 25, 2012, for Kathleen M. Gallagher’s M243/HIM2410 Health Information Law and Ethics course. Organ Donation and its Impact on HIM and Documentation Health information professionals provide many basic and supporting functions that are critical in health care. One of the major job requirements is the professional’s responsibility for the patients’ legal record. The American Health Information Management Association and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) set guidelines for ensuring the quality, integrity, privacy, and security of a patient’s Protected Health Information. Health Information Management (HIM) professionals must have an ethical character, and be responsible for overseeing adequate and accurate health records. Organ and tissue donation and trans-plantation is an area of bioethics that has regulations to guide the HIM professional in making sure the legal health record in complete. Understanding the HIPAA privacy rules and regulations for organ and tissue transplantation will help the HIM professional when needing to receive or disclose health information. These laws are set in order to protect physicians, patients, families, as well as the health care facility. Principles of ethical decision making have an impact on choices patients and their families make regarding this...
Words: 1718 - Pages: 7
...Health Careers Septemeber 30, 2009 Ethics Project Selling of Transplant Organs Ethics of Organ Transplants One of the greatest achievements of modern surgery, tens of thousands of people are giving a new lease on life through the selfless altruism of others who choose to find hope in the midst of tragedy, literally giving of their own bodies in the effort to save others. Transplants aren’t miracle, but they do work- ideally, they are a stopgap measure until someone more permanent and effective can be developed. Fortunately, there does exist such a possibility on the horizon. Eventually, people may be able to simply have replacement organs grown from their own DNA, eliminating matters of procurement, distribution, and even organ rejection. But this will apparently require the use of embryonic stem cells developed with cloning technology, opening up a host of different ethical debates. Pros and Cons for Transplanting Organs Some Facts for selling of transplant organs are -Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history. –All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others. –If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased. – When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of...
Words: 478 - Pages: 2
...Week 1 Organ donation is a significant health care issue in which ethical and legal concepts can be applied. Many people can benefit greatly from organ transplants in terms of extent and quality of life, but usually the demand exceeds the supply and this issue can leads to ethical dilemma with regard to who lives?, who dies? and who decides? (Pozgar, 2013). Therefore, for healthcare providers the ethical issue arise when they have to make decisions with regard to who lives and dies making for them the decision really hard even when there is guidelines to follow. On the other hand, another salient ethical and legal concerns associated with this issue can be the costs related to some organ transplants in which they are very expensive. Therefore, many questions raise regarding how best to provide more organs, how to reasonably distribute limited resources, and whether all transplants should be covered by public funds. Another questions that raised from this issue is; who gets priority? For instance, will be the priority based on the severity of a person's illness or their age? (Pozgar, 2013). In addition, will money and social status influence this decision? Therefore, a rich person would get a new organ and a poor person refused? For all these reasons, there are many issues arising from organ transplantation that have to be managed and solved considering the well being of the patients. In organ donations, the ethical and legal issues have to be addressed keeping in mind...
Words: 1051 - Pages: 5
...Outline Critical Analysis The Case of Paying for Organ Donation Opening summary Article’s purpose and thesis: Dr. Sally Satel is a psychiatrist and professor at Yale University. Dr. Satel’s essay on “The Case of Paying for Organ Donors,” shows how there is a shortage of organ donors in society. Dr. Satel, suggests that financial and other incentives should be introduced to raise more transplant organs. In The Case for Paying Organ Donors, legalizing a through, well structured and stringently monitored compensation program for organ donation will aid in significantly reducing the two major reasons that allow for the successful existence of underground markets and corrupt organizations. There would be a dire shortage of organs available and the desperation that patients experience waiting for a transplant. In conjunction with a well organized enforcement of a ban on the trafficking of human organs is the best solution to helping the problem get better not worse. I. Satel claims that strictly monitored and regulated donor compensation programs are the best solution in helping to eliminate the existence of a lucrative, corrupt practice that has only growth in its future. A. In paragraph 9, Satel has a strong argument because she says that the task force is worried that buying organs, even if done legally, will encourage very poor people to sell their organs out of desperation. A fair point. Satel’s, answer is a...
Words: 598 - Pages: 3
... The Principal of family determination in organ donation ABSTRACT: This article is written by Mingxu wang,, Wen zang, Xueliang Wang. In this article the point which is stressed upon is that wether family should be given the right to give consent for organ donation of a person if he himself has not stated any statement regarding his will on organ donation. Many ethical views of different societies are discussed, especially the Chinese including the Confucians. Some cases are also explained at the end in which the families of the dead are taking decision about the organ donations. Other problems relating to this matter are also highlighted. There are many school of thoughts based on different religions and different societies. In this article the Chinese, Confucians and Mencius are discussed in detail. The Chinese place their families at a very high position. They give a lot of importance and thus during the process of deciding wether to donate the organs or not, the family is given the highest authority. Confucians however not in favour of the process of organ transplantation. Their point of view is different. They like to keep their moral values. According to them the parts of an individual are gifts from their parents and they should not be messed with.They should be left as such. My opinion, after reading this article, is that after a person dies and he has not stated that wether he would not like to donate the organs then the decision should be made by the closest...
Words: 4050 - Pages: 17
...frontiers of legality and morality) might become a ‘new’ status of the dead and dying. Other articles take this presumption further, by questioning whether as individuals, society should legally be bound to ‘opt out’ rather than ‘opt in’ of this innovative condition; meaning if our bodies befall fatal injuries there is a presumption that they instantly become the assets of the medical institution (Wilkinson 2012). An alternative belief is being presented, that our ethical and moral concerns should lay with the future recipient of our assumedly ‘redundant’ organs. Already some European states such as Wales are considering backing such a proposal (Wales News 2012). Actively delaying death or maintaining a body to increase organ donation is illegal as the interests of the patient are not paramount. Is the idea of Elective ventilation the ultimate scenario in defining death through a clinical gaze? Furthermore, does organ donation within the context of elective ventilation, not epitomize a dehumanizing medical separation of the patient's body from the patient's person? Does mind-body dualism, in this situation create a reductive view of humanity which reduces people to the sum total of their body parts? These questions will be analyzed within a Foucauldian framework which draws...
Words: 1487 - Pages: 6
...Should Organ Market be legalized? Many people die each year while waiting on the list for an organ. The National Organ Transplant Act was founded to address the organ donation shortage and improve the organ matching. The National Organ Transplant Act is responsible for the placement process and the managing of the waitlist. But in title three section one of the National Organ Transplant Act the federal government bans the buying and selling of organs in the United States. The growth in population and the decrease in organ donation has resulted in organs deficit. There is a growing supply and demand gap in the United States. The non-legalization of organ markets goes against the concept of choice and individual rights which is part of the foundation of the United States. The body is a private property and people should have the right to do as they please with their body. By having an organ market there will be many economic and personal benefits. Some arguments that are proposed by people against the organ market are that the legalization of the sale of human organs would create a black market. A black market that might increase crime in the illegal pursuit of organs. It is also believed that organ market will result in many negative externalities; a negative externality is a cost that is suffered by a third party that was not included in the original plans. An example of a negative externality that would arise from the legalization of organ market would be an increasing child...
Words: 1799 - Pages: 8
...Organ Donation 1. ”I’m donating my kidney to a stranger” is an article written by journalist Richard Wilson in 2008. The article is about Paula MacKinnon, who is thought to be the first altruistic organ donor in Scotland. Paula’s mother, Katherine, suffered kidney failure in 2007, and Paula wanted to donate her kidney to her mother. However their blood groups weren’t compatible, so Paula decided to donate her kidney anyway, to whoever might need it. Neither of Paula’s parents was particularly fond of this idea, but Paula is the kind of person, who will help anyone in need. Paula’s husband, Colin, understands why she is donating her kidney. They are both BBC journalists and highly involved in charity. Colin worked on a programme about orphaned children in Ukraine in 2006, and Paula went there to help for three months. 2. The first text, “We must change the organ donation system” by Denis Campbell, describes (as the title implies) how Britain needs an update of their organ donation system. Three people die in Britain every day, due to shortage of organs, so his solution would be to adopt the “presumed content” system, just like many other European countries have done. The presumed content system allows surgeons to retrieve the organs of a dead citizen, unless said citizen has already refused permission for them to do so, or if their family members object. The second text, “The Ethics of Organ Donation by Living Donors” by Robert D. Truog, describes three categories...
Words: 835 - Pages: 4
...Organ Transplant in the United States Stephanie Daniels UCA Certificate of Authorship I hereby certify that I am the author of this document and any assistance I received in preparing this report is fully acknowledged. I have also cited in APA format all sources of data, data analysis, ideas, words, phrases, or sentences. I also hereby certify that I have not submitted this paper to any other professor, at Webster University or elsewhere, during the course of my educational career. I have properly cited and acknowledged material that was presented in previous papers of my authorship. Signature: __________________________________________________ Date: __________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page # Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………3 Organ Transplant…………………………………………………………………………..4 What Organs and Tissues Can Be Donated……………………………………………….6 Organ Transplant Cost…………………………………………………………………….10 Ethical Issues: Organ Transplant…………………………………………………………..11 Strength and Weaknesses……………………………………………………………….....14 Alternatives and Key Challenges: Organ/Tissue Transplant……………………………...15 Summary and recommendations…………………………………………………………...17 References…………………………………………………………………………………19 Abstract Organ transplant experiments began in the 1800’s on animals and humans as a need...
Words: 4065 - Pages: 17
...Commercialization of Organ Transplants Strayer University Business Ethics BUS309 Professor Bennett July 27, 2014 Commercialization of Organ Transplants Thousands of people die every day waiting on an organ transplant. But whose really say which patient is in more need than the next patient. The demand for organs in the medical community is very high, but solely dependent on the altruistic donations from willing participants or family members. The biggest obstacle would be trying to find enough organs to be donated to meet the demand of the many patients, but also be an exact match. The sale of organs has been banned since October of 1984. But the argument of how lucrative the profit can be has been discussed over and over again. It has been argued that commodification may not be the best option, but it could be ideal for the medical community. So many organizations believe that it is immoral to sell and buy organs of another human being for profit as if it was a piece of property. Other organizations feel that if you’re only going to dispose of the organs and there is a good use for them, why a profit can’t be made from the sale of the organs. The Organ Transplant Network believes that there is a great market in selling organs and the bigger picture is that it could possibly remedy the black market of selling organs illegally. The Organ Transplant Network believes that if a network was designed it can still be for volunteers and receive donations, but they would...
Words: 884 - Pages: 4
...Organ Donation 1 ORGAN DONATION: A QUESTION OF LIFE OR DEATH (not all caps) A paper Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for NU 307 Psychosocial Concepts in Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jacksonville State University JACKSONVILLE, ALABAMA 2008 Organ Donation 2 Organ Donation: A Question of Life or Death Organ donation is a rather controversial issue and should be addressed to (remove and change to) by all families. Donating organs can be viewed as heroic or disrespectful. If one decides to give their (remove and change to) his organs then the question is: who will receive a second chance at life? The purpose of this paper is to decipher the issue of organ donation and the question of to whom the organ should be given. Should only be double spaced only thoroughout entire paper – not between paragraphs According to the Alabama Organ Center (2008), there are close to 100,000 potential recipients are (add) waiting for an organ transplant. This is an enormous number and it is not decreasing quickly. On an (remove) average, nineteen people a day are added to the waiting list, but many (add) die long before an organ is available. The decision to become an organ donor should not be taken lightly. Once a preference is made, (add) it is vital to share it with family or friends. (change- to sharing the decision with family and friends is vital. Discussing one’s after death wishes is of utmost importance...
Words: 985 - Pages: 4
