CJA 324: What Is An Ethical Dilemma?

Personal Dilemma Paper
Verenique Warren
CJA/324
December 15, 2014
Melissa Andrewjeski

Personal Dilemma Paper What is an ethical dilemma? The word ‘ethical dilemma’ is self-explanatory. It indicates confusion related to the ethics of a person. Ethical dilemma is a complex situation which often originates from conflict between the moral imperatives of two people. Thereby moral and ethical dilemmas can arise in many forms and for various reasons. How these dilemmas are managed determines the results. Personal moral dilemmas occur when an individual must take a decision and the options to make that decision are symmetrically displeasing. As a result, the dilemma is to choose amongst the options; whereas either choice isn’t a pleasant one. Previous experiences can be of assistance I effectively resolving the dilemma, or it may be in the individuals best interest to muster up more information in order for an sound decision to be made. The occurrence of ethical dilemmas arise and transpire on a daily basis within our society. Different sources of media are to blame for these ethical dilemmas such as; news feeds, newspapers, internet, and television. These reports may be about an actor or actress, celebrities, politicians, or other professionals. The personal dilemma
I’ve chosen to explore is the ethical dilemma about buying and selling organs on the black market. Due to the regularity of organ transplants there has been a shortage for these organs. As a result, a transplant recipient can spend years waiting for the right donor or exact same organ. “The United States government estimates 18 people die each day waiting for a transplant, and every 10 minutes someone is added to the transplant list” (Castillo, 2014). The ethical dilemma, should one be allowed by law to sell their own body parts? Eggs are harvested by surgery and is legal in the United States. Question is should one not be able to harvest other organs and sell them? However, according to Dr. Arthur Caplan; the director of the division of medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center, told CBSNews.com “A woman has many eggs and there are more each month. We only have two kidneys. The surgery involved to remove kidneys is more complicated and invasive.” In 1954, the first transplant of a human kidney occurred. Subsequently this issue has been a ongoing debate about the ethics of organ transplants. The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act of 1968 is the current policy as it relates to organ transplants. In which this policy was adopted by all fifty states, giving consent to individuals whom wish to become an organ donor pre-eternal rest (death). The second policy is the Organ Transplantation Act of 1984, established an organized organ matching network besides still outlawing the sell and purchase of organs. In addition, receiving money for an organ is illegal everywhere except Iran. From the stand point of ethical dilemmas entailing selling of organs originates from religious beliefs, people fabricating about their health and can possible show a major concern for passing or spreading diseases, and take advantage of disadvantaged human beings. The poverty-striken and penniless are the one’s who’s placing a price tag on their organs. Over the years several bills have been proposed to congress about this subject matter.
Thereby these bills have offered medals to the donors, tax credits, and reimbursements. The issue at hand is the shortage of kidneys is the result of patient suffering, an increase in death rates, and most importantly the expense of maintaining one’s life awaiting a transplant versus making the human body just a commodity. Doctors have obligations that put restrictions on healing the patient, the good and the bad of the medical progress, the integrity and dignity of the human body, human consent, and ethical judgments needed to make a public policy are all issues that have to deal with
bioethics. There were 12 open policy proposals on the Open Procurement and Transplantation Network, also known as (OPTN). The OPTN Board of Directors will approve the final policy. As noted these proposals are listed for public comments. In January 2013 the rules of organ donation were in deliberation and heavenly contemplated on. Other alternatives for buying and selling human organs consist of maintaining access to transplantation for everyone who are currently on waitlists; and or make better usage of organs that are available. In present times, organ harvesting is only carried out when an individual is brain dead and the family consent, the decision can’t be reversed. Sad to say this dilemma is still unresolved. The need for organs will continue to have a snowball affect; patients will steady suffer and for extended time frames, and the costs to medically keep an organ recipient alive will also skyrocket. For now, the proposals that are in position will only rectify the situation to a certain degree. How can one put a dollar amount on a kidney, pancreas, heart, etc.? Numerous inquiries remain yet this ongoing debate will be problematic in upcoming years ahead in my eyes.

References
Gholipour, B. (2014) Paying Kidney Donors Is Cost Effective, Researchers say. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/25/pay-kidney-donors_n_4163846.html
Castillo, M. (2014). Ethical dilemmas surround those willing to sell, buy kidneys on black market. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ethical-dilemmas-surround-those-willing-to-sell-buy-kidneys-on-black-market/
Bienstock, R. (2013) [Director] Tales from the Organ Trade [Documentary]. Canada; Shaw Media & Canal O.