Resources Paper - Assignment Example

M5: Resources Paper Alexander Heatrice DDS A.T. Still HMP870 Global Health Ethics Jaana Gold, DDS, PhD January13, The first part ofthis paper describes the normal tendency of human beings to be selfish and the change that altruistic behavior can bring about for the betterment of the world. The last part of the paper emphasizes that a move towards altruistic behavior in sharing healthcare resources is more important than the goal itself. Although there are many pressing social and healthcare issues in the world, history reveals that often these issues have to rise to a crisis level before any meaningful action is taken.

Sometimes, the action taken is so delayed that it is not able to prevent the catastrophe. One such example is the failure of the international community to respond to the atrocities committed in the Darfur region of Sudan. The passive response can be attributed to the fact that by nature human beings are selfish. This makes it extremely difficult for governments, organizations, and individuals to look past individual interest and work towards the betterment of the society at large. Individuals and governments have long considered ‘fairness’ (based on egalitarian motives) in sharing the limited resources available in the world.

One example is the development of the Kyoto Protocol which aims to achieve “global fairness by requiring developed countries with large footprints to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while exempting poorer countries” (Riverina Environmental Education Center, n.d., para 3). However, in 2001, the United States withdrew from Kyoto Protocol2 in 2001 as President Bush believed that it would harm the American economy (Global Warming, 2001). Recently, more and more people are beginning to realize that it is in one’s own interest to take care of one’s neighbor – a term called selfish altruism.

Altruism takes ‘fairness’ one step ahead, in that it proves costly for oneself and at the same time beneficial to the recipient. The remarkable movement among the senior citizens in Japan to volunteer their services at the devastated Fukushima nuclear plant is an example of altruistic behavior which reveals that people are beginning to look past their selfish desires for a healthier and equitable global world. Many of the senior citizens of Japan feel that their generation is responsible for this mess and therefore, they can not in good conscience dump it on the next generation (Sabin, 2011).

Therefore, people should be altruistic and share their resources with those living in less privileged countries. However, it should not be done by reducing the healthcare currently provided in developed countries, since doing so may significantly restrict medical breakthroughs and the development in the field of healthcare which are essential for the growth of any society. The developed nations of the world have the duty to share its resources so that there is equity in healthcare globally. This deontological or duty based ethics (based on Kant’s theory) judges morality based on the actions taken instead of the goals achieved (Kay, 1997).

Sharing of resources with other countries that lack them will not only improve the standard of health globally but also address issues like human rights, economic opportunities, and poverty, all of which are closely linked in our interdependent world. Although all may not agree with being altruistic, there must be at least a desire to work toward it since small steps taken in this regard can have significant impact towards the betterment of this world as is proved by the altruistic behavior of the senior citizens of Japan (mentioned earlier).

This behavior is based on the idea – Do unto other as you would have them do unto you. Finally, although one cannot control the future, it is imperative that every person sees the big picture and makes choices and decisions that are in line with this altruistic behavior. Although it may be unrealistic to expect altruistic behavior from every person in the world, a move towards it would definitely remove the disparities in healthcare and make the world a better place to live. References Global Warming. (2001). The U.S. withdraws from the Kyoto Protocol citing economic reasons.

Retrieved from http://globalwarming.com/2010/03/2001-the-u-s-withdraws-from-the-kyoto-protocol-citing-economic-reasons/ Kay, C. D. (1997). Notes on deontology. Retrieved from http://webs.wofford.edu/ kaycd/ethics/deon.htm Riverina Environmental Education Center. (n.d.). Global fairness. Retrieved from http://www.reec.nsw.edu.au/geo/climate/page/clch39.htm Sabin, J. (2011). Altruism in Japan – seniors volunteer for nuclear cleanup. Retrieved from http://healthcareorganizationalethics.blogspot.

com/2011/09/altruism-in-japan-seniors-volunteer-for.html