Effectiveness of Organ Transplant - Essay Example

Introduction Organ transplant was experimented on animals and humans as early as the 18th century but faced massive failures owing to the lack of current technology, knowledge, and expertise. In 1954, the Dr. Joseph Murray performed a kidney transplant on identical twins allowing for no immune rejection winning him the Nobel Prize and allowing the patient to live for eight years. The first heart transplant was conducted in 1967, but the patient died of Pneumonia from the anti-rejection drugs that weakened the immune system. The main cause of death for organ transplant patient in the following years through to the 1970’s was poor anti-rejection drugs, which changed by the end of 1970’s when better anti-rejection drugs were developed giving patients up to five years after transplant. The effectiveness of organ transplant improved after that, and its use has augmented over the years. Organ transplantation is referred to as one of the health practices that whose results are often lifesaving. The process involved removal and replacement of a failing or damaged organ in the recipient body and replaced with a fully functioning one (Ethics of Organ Transplantation, 2004). In most occasions, transplantation takes places when the life of the recipient is at stake, and the only hope for survival of the recipient is the replacement of an organ or tissue (Alvaro, Siegel, 2009). Despite its advantages, it is apparent that transplantation has many challenges that may result not only in health complications, but also the loss of life. In relation to this assertion, the paper will expound on the many factors that prevent people from taking part in organ donation. Issues that will be addressed by the paper include the belief that organ donors fail to provide care to their families because of the complications associated with organ donation. In addition, it can cause traumatic disorders, the persistence of donor’s discomfort, in addition to psychological torture experienced after donation of an organ. The heart, lungs, pancreas as well as intestines, kidney and liver are transplantable in humans. Discussion The Canadian Medical Association has a specific policy that guides physicians and health care providers to issues regarding organ donation. Organ donors, as well as prospective organ donors, should be provided with relevant, understandable information related to the decision. Occasionally, this involves informing the donor about the benefits as well as risks of transplantation, procedures associated with the determination of death, and testing of organs as well as tissues to defining their suitability for transplantation (Canadian Medical Association, 2014). According to Ethics of Organ Transplantation, there are two sources for donating organs. The first source is the recently deceased people (cadaveric organs). This decision, however, is guided by a specific rule; the cadaveric organ donor must have expressed their desire to become an organ donor in a health care directive. In some states, the family members of the deceased are requested to donate an organ from their deceased relative. In connection with this assertion, it is apparent that some states have policies that require family consent for the removal of any organ regardless of the written organ donation wishes. The second sources of organ donation are living persons. In most cases, organ donation takes place between related people, whenever there is a need. Diseases like cancer or organ failure are common to cause a need for an organ transplant to come from a family member. However, there are instances where people donate their organs to strangers. An adult in good health, as well as physiologically stable, is eligible for tissue and organ donation (Partners in Education, 2015). In tandem with this fact, it is apparent that physical fitness and free from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases makes one a good organ or tissue donor. An organ donor should also be free from high blood pressure (Stevens, 2008). In addition to this, transplantation of organs takes place best between a donor and a recipient with the same blood and tissue type (Hakim & Danovitch, 2000). In other words, it is recommendable for the blood and tissues of the donor to be compatible with that of the recipient (Organ Donation and Transplant, 2015). Although transplantation is regarded as a life a saving process, the procedures associated with it have many risks (Toledo-Pereyra, 1987). Apart from the surgery resulting in pain, discomfort and infection, it also leads to bleeding and health complications in the future. Other complications of surgery include infection at the incision site, incisional hernia, pneumonia, blood clots (Garg, 2006). In addition to this, the organ donors often experience hemorrhaging and demand blood transfusions. Possible long-term risks of donation of organs such as kidney include hypertension, reduced kidney function which can be determined by the presence of high amounts of protein in the urine, and organ impairment that can result in dialysis, transplantation or death. The possible risks associated with the donation of the liver consist of wound infections, abdominal pain and bile leakage. It can also result in hernia and intestinal problems which include blockages and tears. Organ failure may also call for transplantation or even loss of life. There may also be diverse medical risks for different organ donation because each donor recovers differently from their respective surgery (Partners in Education, 2015). The effect is that the donors are faced with different levels of discomfort and trauma depending on the recovery part they undertake and the impact the transplant had on them. Some can be faced with psychological torture and trauma from the experience that could negatively affect them reducing their ability to cater for their families (Marcos, Shapiro, Tan, 2007). Donor recovery, however, depends on the organ donated, and the guideline provided for donors are aimed at limiting the trauma, discomfort, and augments the chances of a faster recovery for the donor. According to Partners in Education (2015), the recovery of donors from surgery varies with the type of organ they donate. For instance, it is recommended for a kidney donor to remain in the hospital for 3 to 7 days after surgery. It is also advisable for them to resume their normal activities after about four to six weeks depending on the types of activities they do in life. A kidney donor is also advised not to drive for approximately two weeks after surgery. Additionally, it is recommendable for them to avoid lifting heavy things for about six weeks. Liver donors are advised to resume their normal activities after two months since it takes the liver two months to regrow to normal size (Partners in Education, 2015). From these pieces of information regarding recovery from surgery, it is apparent that organ donors do not live on medicine for life. In relation to the information provided above, it is evident that a person can remain healthy after donating an organ. However, there are other ethical issues associated with transplantation. According to Ethics of Organ Transplantation (2004), ethical issues associated with transplantation include the shortage of available organs. The scale for organs demand is very high, and as a result of this, it is evident that not all patients in need of organ transplant get an organ for their survival. In connection with this claim, the article Ethics of Organ Transplantation argues that people waiting for organ transplant in the USA alone are over 83,000. In relation to the limited number of organs, it is also evident that the distribution of available organs is an area of concern. Often there is no fairness in the distribution of organs in organ transplantation because of the availability of few organs. It is as a result of few organs that there are many incidents of premature declarations of patients’ death in order to harvest organs. In connection with the fact that there are few organs for transplantation, it is evident that states have enacted the past laws as well as come up with new laws to ensure not only safe and fair organ donation collection, but also distribution practice. In addition to this, there is an organ donation law that is aimed at widening the pool of potential donors so as to increase the number of available organs for transplantation. One of these laws is the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 of the US that address the problems associated with organ shortage as well as improve the collection in addition to the distribution of organs. Another law is the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986 that address health benefits as well as health insurance coverage. Conclusion In conclusion, organ donation has many pros and cons in regards to patient’s safety and values. Apart from donation resulting to save of life, it also facilitates the self-acceptance of oneself as a savior. In addition to reduce the costs associated with the medication of the recipients, donation of an organ assists the donor in terms of financial difficulties as well as helps the families of the deceased during the grieving period; the deceased saved a life. The downfalls of donation include health complications such as organ failures and bleeding leads to loss of life. Throughout my research of the organ transplant, I came to the conclusion that there are many advantages and disadvantages in regards to donating organs. I believe that each individual should have the right to autonomy over donating his or her organs. Even though one may be found healthy, one should not be forced to donate if they do not want to. It is up to their own discretion to do as they desire after gaining the knowledge of the complication and risks. References Alvaro, E. & Siegel, J. (2009). Understanding Organ Donation: Applied Behavioral Science Perspectives. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Canadian Medical Association. (2014). Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (Update 2014). Clavien, P, & Trotter, J. F. (2011). Medical Care of the Liver Transplant Patient. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Ethics of Organ Transplantation. (2004). Medical Issues. Center for Bioethics. Garg, A. et al. (2006). A Review of the Economic Implications of Living Organ Donation: Donor Perspectives and Policy Considerations. Hakim, N. S., & Danovitch, G. M. (2000). Transplantation Surgery. London: Springer. Marcos, A., Shapiro, R. & Tan, H. (2007). Living Donor Transplantation. New York: CRC Press. Partners in Education. (2015). Living Donation Information You Need to Know. United Network for Organ Sharing. Stevens, H. (2008). How To Be An Organ Donor (And Why). New York: CemeterySpot Inc. Toledo-Pereyra, L. (1987). Complications of Organ Transplantation. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc. Read More