Ethics

[Giga-Gar]

This is the place if you want to discuss ethical issues. Josiah is coming later to lay down some ground rules, but let me say onething first. Do not let the arguments leak into other threads.

[Josiah]

1. I will shut this thread down completely if I think things are getting out of hand.
2. Don't let discussions or arguements from this thread cross into other threads.
3. You can disagree with someone's ideas but only do so in a polite and intelligent manner (no flamming, name calling, insults, etc).
4. Remember, it's perfectly normal for two intelligent people to have two completely different opinions about something. If a person doesn't agree with you it doesn't mean that they're stupid, less intelligent, or anything else. Perhaps they're uninformed or perhaps they know everything you do but simply came to a different conclusion. It's very important to keep this in mind.
5. This thread is for discussion, not for getting everyone to agree with you. If some people change their mind based on your arguments that's fine but don't try to bully others and don't expect everyone or anyone to change their minds.
6. Don't be upset, disapointed, angry, etc if people pick apart your arguements, disagree, etc.

[Giga-Gar]

Ok, now that Josiah has laid down the laws of the land, I bring you my first ethical question.

A 75 year old man and a 15 year old boy are in need of a new heart. They both have the same blood type, they are both on top of the list to get the heart, but there's one problem. There is only one heart that fits the requirements needed to be transplanted in them. Who do you give it to?

[Shadowman]

The boy since the old man already lived his life. On the other hand the boy has yet to live fully.

[Stevenson]

....for pete's sake. Do you enjoy punishment? There is no purpose to this thread besides argument.


...The boy gets the heart. Unless he's like a druggie or something.

[Giga-Gar]

let me add a new rule. you need to fully explain why you said what you said. in this case, why does the boy get the heart but not the man?

[shauni]

Well, for starters we need more information. Do either patchiest have other illnesses? For example, if the boy had kidney failure or some other mission critical illness would there be any point giving him the heart if he was dying of another illness? What distance are the patients from the donor? Sometimes that is a factor. If the boy was an hour away… the heart might die, were as the man might already be in the hospital.

It’s automatic to say ‘the boy gets it because he is younger and the other man has lived his life’. In reality, there are a lot more things to consider. I’d give the heart to the boy out right if they were both in the same hospital if I knew he would make a full recovery…however, if he had other illnesses that would make giving him the heart pointless…I might have to reconsider.

[Kisori]

*clap,clap,clap,clap* I tried a differerent version of your sentence,I know the awnser, but, if I said it, making the puzzle would be for nothing...

[Giga-Gar]

Now for the twist. The 15 year old dropped out of school and is a druggy. the 75 year old is Martin Luther King Jr(Lets just assume he is still alive). Who do you give the heart to now?

[shauni]

It does not matter who they are, it is whether they will survive the operation, were they are located distance wise from the heart and how well there after care would be. Also, the child is only 15 you say, he still has time to turn his life around, and who are you and me to condemn anyone anyway? It has to be judge by clinical facts; otherwise it IS unethical to choose who gets the heart.

[Phonox]

..How about you let Shauni take over? Just a suggestion.

[shauni]

Wow, I never thought this topic would come up again. I’ll post actual ethical issues as I see them on the news on in the media. A ‘for instance’ topic would just cause an argument over nothing, literally.