Who Will Benefit on a Heart Transplant - Assignment Example

Who Will Benefit on a Heart TransplantThe main objective of this memorandum is to offer an in-depth comprehension on the decision regarding the choice of who among patients undergoes a heart transplant. In many cases, decision makers are faced with difficulties in the process of executing their duties. This is attributed to the fact that they crave or yearn for approval and good reception of their decisions. Being the decision maker in the medical field, I found myself being faced by such a situation.

Three individuals in need of a heart transplant were lying in wait in high expectations of being the next recipient. These individuals were Ozzie, Jerry, and Lisa. Heart conditions in each of these individuals was as a result of divergent reasons. In making such a decision, ethical and moral considerations ought to be followed. Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill coined in the ethics of utilitarianism. This is considered one of the most widely used postulation incorporated in ethical decision making in the modern world.

The main objective of utilitarianism is to produce pleasure or contentment. However, it is of importance to go deeper into this theory since a heart transplant would bring contentment to all the three individuals. Stuart believed that a decision should be based on the effects or end result it ought to bring. He further asserted that a decision should be made not only to benefit an individual, but also for the betterment of the community. Therefore, my choice of the patient to benefit from the transplant was Lisa.

This was due to a number of reason supported by Stuart. Stuart believed that though people will always present cash as well as other precious commodities, decision makers should focus on the benefits such contributions would bring to the community (Mill, 2007). Lisa's parents had offered a donation of $2 million for the construction of a specialized facility within the health institution. In terms of benefiting the community, such a facility would give thousands of community members a second chance in life through identification and treatment of various heart conditions.

On the other hand, if Ozzie benefited from the transplant, only a small proportion of teenagers would benefit from his services. Jerry will only be of benefit to his family and workplace. Hedonism My choice was also directed by the theory of Hedonism by Aristippus. According to Timmons (2012), decision makers should always make their pronouncements or choices centred on satisfaction. In other words, they should strive to capitalize on enjoyment or gratification at that particular time. In supporting this theory, the society has a soft spot for children.

Traditionally, people believed that the death of an adult person is more justified than that of a child. Based on this assumption, it brought more pleasure or satisfaction by choosing Lisa as the beneficiary of the heart transplant. Ozzie is an adult aged 38 years while Jerry is a father of three aged 55. On the other hand, Lisa is a young girl barely a teenager. The worth of my decision was guided by happiness. Similarly, Lisa's parents are not capable of bearing more children. Her health would bring contentment to her parents.

Some people may critique my decision based on the fact that Lisa has minimal chances of making it to adulthood based on her health conditions. On the other hand, failure to choose Lisa as the recipient of the heart transplant, as mentioned earlier on, would have a negative impact on the health of the community in general. This is attributed to the fact that her parent's decision to donate the money to the health institution will depend on whether she gets the heart or not. ReferencesMill, J. S. (2007). Utilitarianism, Liberty & Representative Government.

Maryland, USA: Wildside Press. Timmons, M. (2012). Moral Theory: An Introduction. Maryland, USA: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.