Ethics And Legality Of Organ Transplants

Author: Chris Chew

| Posted: 02-05-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 46 | Rating: (57)

(?)

One of the greatest achievements in medical science is organ transplant surgery. People who have failing organs and are doomed to die can now be given a new lease on life by the generosity of organ donors who are giving part of their own bodies to save or enhance the lives of others. However, there are many ethical issues and controversies pertaining to organ transplants.

Discussions on the ethics on organ transplants invariably will attract questions like for instance:-

Can human organs be traded commercially, if not why? Should a person who has already received one transplant be allowed another one? Should alcoholics be given liver transplants, where after all, it was their alcoholism that damages their livers in the first place? What are the sources of organs used in organ transplants operations?

Perhaps the most controversial topics of these ethical debates are about the procurement and distribution of human organs for transplant and are centered on the questions of how do we get the organs and how do we decide who will receive organ transplants?

Since there are always fewer organ donors than there are potential recipients, this fact make the debate on who should get the organ available very emotional and heated which is not surprising because lives are at stake.

To compound the problem, organ transplants are very expensive surgical procedures and only the rich can afford them. Poorer folks may never get the opportunity of a transplant even if they need it more urgently than their richer counterparts. Should the choice of who get the organs be dependant upon who can afford it?

Then there is the issue of not everyone agreeing when death of the donor actually occurs. Is it when the heart and lungs stop functioning or the donor is certified brain dead?

What about consent of the donor? At the present moment, a donor has to expressly agree for organ donor ship in order for organs to be removed except in Singapore which have the controversial Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA). The Act assumed that all Singapore citizens have consented to be organ donors unless opted out. However, Muslims are exempted from the Act for religious reasons.

Which is the better way to get consent from the donors? By enacting legislations or relying on willing donors?

Since most people can live with only one kidney or one eye, which are organs which can be donated while the donor is still alive. Should the donor be allowed to sell his kidney? The argument against allowing commercial trade on human organs is that it may encourage poor people to sell their organs and even may encourage unethical syndicate organ trading rackets.

There are people suffering and are on the death row waiting for organ transplants to save their lives and decisions about the ethics of organ transplants will have a tremendous impact on them. What is your position on these ethical issues of human organ transplants?

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Human Organ Transplant, Liver Transplant, Transplant Ethics

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/ethics-and-legality-of-organ-transplants-141345.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Chris Chew is a researcher. More articles atEnlargement breast surgery and Liver transplant surgery

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can You Live With Liver Disease?
By: there4u | 19-07-2008
How long does a person usaly live at end stage of Liver disease?While waiting for a Liver transplant?Anyone know of anyone with this?What are they going through?Is A liver transplant able to save them.?Thanks for all the help .The hepatitia c turned to cirhosis.

Medical Question
By: Mavis | 02-07-2008
My Granddaughter died this past January. Three days before turning 14. She had a liver transplant at age two. She got sick suddenly right after Thanksgiving. She got sepsis. Can anyone tell me if a flu shot or bad pumpkin pie could lead to sepsis if you have liver problems?My daughter and I are tormented with these questions.ThanksMavis

Nataline Sarkisyan vs. CIGNA Geragos Mark
By: mae | 24-12-2007
Mark Geragos will represent Nataline Sarkisyan against CIGNA Health Insurance because CIGNA refuse to pay for a liver transplant.Does she and her family stand a chance? Do you think CIGNA will cave because of the coverage?

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Non-Fiction Articles

Book Marketing: the Day That is Different for Your Career Strategy
By: Rosey Dow | 06/10/2008
Make an informed decision about the direction of your writing career--print or online, or both.

In the Lap of the Gods 22
By: Steve Morgan | 05/10/2008
For those who have read the other 21 chapters

A Week in the Life of the Single Working Mother
By: Karen Dosw | 03/10/2008
A humorous article about a week in the life of one South African, single mom with two adult children and two little ones.

Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Write for free? I can hear you saying, “Are you nuts?” Write for free, so you can get paid. Read more inside.

Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
You asked if they had a job opening. They said no. They told me “no”, too, but I got the job anyway. Read more inside.

Becoming a Reporter is Easy
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Do you want to be a reporter? It’s a great way to break into print, and the jobs aren’t that hard to get. Read this article to learn more.

Writing it Down
By: Galina Nemirovsky | 29/09/2008
Lately I’ve developed a compulsion to write everything down. Stringing words together and composing sentences in the shower, I want to write it all down – remember it – capture it. I stare at people in the subway and craft their character descriptions in my head...

The Modern Lily Tomlin
By: Galina Nemirovsky | 29/09/2008
I’m waiting in a conference room that smells like the corner of career aspiration and stale office carpet. The overly heavy and overly bitter receptionist has a voice that is piercing through the makeshift conference room with walls that only go up about 7 feet. Like an annoying hiccup, she keeps repeating “Good morning, Hudson. Your name? Hold please.” Over and over again. She is an extra large version of what the rest of the world has automated already.

More from Chris Chew

Career As A Lawyer
By: Chris Chew | 22/05/2007 | Careers
Many people think that it is glamorous to be a lwayer.Is it really true?

How To Choose A Singing Teacher
By: Chris Chew | 22/05/2007 | Music
How to choose the right singing teacher for your singing career.

Types of Hernia Explained
By: Chris Chew | 15/05/2007 | Health
Know more about hernia and its medical complications.

Why Get An Online College|University Degree?
By: Chris Chew | 01/05/2007 | Careers
Reasons why the online college and university education degree industry is growing so rapidly. Can an online degree boost your career?

How To Launch A Singing Career
By: Chris Chew | 19/04/2007 | Music
Find out how you can launch a successful singing career.

Choosing A Credible Online Degree
By: Chris Chew | 17/04/2007 | Self Help
Is the distance learning degree you are stuying for credible?

Lasik Laser Eye Surgery Side Effects
By: Chris Chew | 17/04/2007 | Health
Considering a Lasik eye surgery? Think again!

Why Am I Not Rich And Wealthy?
By: Chris Chew | 05/04/2007 | Self Help
Is your belief system preventing you from becoming rich? Millionaire mindset.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.56, 9)