Distributive Justice: Access; Rationing; Futility - Essay Example

DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE: ACCESS, RATIONING, FUTILITY Organ Transplantation is no more an impossible or tedious work. Nowadays many hospitals provide facilities for transplanting organs. Most of the organs of humans can now be transplanted, thanks to the vast development in medical sciences. The most common transplant is the process of transplanting the heart. Generally if a patient is diagnosed with an organ failure, the concerned hospital then decides whether that organ could be replaced. If it is found to be possible, the hospital then takes the further step of helping the patient for a transplant.

The doctors will try and inform other hospitals and some service organizations to locate people who are willing to donate the organ. If they have found a suitable donor, all the required tests are taken to make sure that the organ can be successfully transplanted. Then they proceed with the transplantation.In the year 2004, an American, Todd Krampitz was suffering from cancer and he had to undergo a liver transplantation. He thought of a new method by which the possibility of getting the organ was easier without waiting for a longer time.

His family decided to place hoardings at some of the main places in America, describing the need of an organ for transplantation. (Tutt 2004) The board carried information that he has to undergo liver transplantation and requested for donors. It had the name of a website which had the complete details regarding his requirement. This idea of placing boards had a very good response and it grabbed the attention of many. His method was successful in finding a person who was willing to donate. The operation was successful.

(Caplan, 2004). But the real question that rises is that whether his method was ethical. According to a study, at the time when he got the organ transplantation, 17000 people were waiting for the organ. The method he adopted was very effective that it gained so much attention and popularity. It could reach people easily as many people would definitely come to know the need of an organ. This was successful because it doesn’t take much time in searching for a donor. I feel that this method is an easier and effective way in finding donors.

As this proved to be successful the hospitals can come forward and adopt this to help a patient who is in need of an organ transplant. They can set up boards, give advertisements in newspapers and magazines, and telecast the need through television so that it can reach more number of people in a short span of time. This will reduce the time that a patient generally waits to get a donor. If there are two people who are waiting for same organ transplantation, the organ can be transplanted to a person who will definitely survive for a longer period instead of giving it to a person who is sicker and not sure of having a good life span after the transplantation.

The person who is willing to donate should be free from any sort of medical complaints and should not be an alcoholic as it will affect the patient. Transplanting kidney from a living donor is not ethical as he may face some problems at a later stage. It will enable in solving the problem of patient waiting for a longer time. The hospital can make use of this approach whenever a patient is found to undergo a transplant so that it makes sure that the patient is benefited easily and quickly. The Todd Krampitz’s approach to find a donor is more successful and hospitals can follow it to serve people better.

References Caplan, A. (2004). Journal Article on Cutting In line For Organ Transplants.Retrieved from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5810779Tutt, B (2004). Journal Article on Organ Transplant provides Second Chance. Retrieved from: http://www.htexas.com/feature.cfm?article=346