Organ Shortage Research Paper

The shortage of organs in the United States is leading to dilemmas and moral issues for physicians. They are taking a closer look at the feasible recipients and their potential for future success. The key to a successful transplant is carefully selecting those patients who are good matches and who need it urgently. For example, patients who have matching blood types should receive organs before those whose bodies may reject the implant. One problem that physicians are dealing with is providing organs to recovering alcoholics. People say that, "Patients have a personal responsibility to prevent their own liver disease and therefore should not be considered on an equal basis with other liver transplant candidates"(Van Thiel 1). This is