You Decide Memo
Memorandum
To: Earl Levith
From:
Date: 6/14/14
Re: Choices and Consequences Transcript
I have been informed of a heart that has become available. There are three patients awaiting a heart transplant. Each patient has their own unique situation, but in order to make an ethical decision that benefits the greater number of people, I must consider each person’s health history, life expectancy after the transplant, and the effect on their families. “If we make decisions on principles of utility or consequence, we would carefully consider everyone affected by the decision, and weigh the harms and benefits of every action.” (Levith)
There are three patients in need of a transplant; Ozzy, Lisa and Jerry. The first patient is Ozzy; he has been homeless for the past ten years. His heart condition is due to constant drug abuse and overdosing on crack cocaine. In the past few months he has started working with troubled teens at a local homework and tutoring hangout. If he receives the heart transplant he will live another 10-15 years and will be able to continue to be a mentor to teens. Because of his history with drugs, it is a high risk to choose him as a recipient. Drug abuse is a serious illness and he may relapse causing the new heart to become damaged and die within a few months. Lisa is a 12 year old with a lifetime of health issues. Her heart was damaged after fighting pneumonia the year before. Unfortunately because of her health history, a heart transplant won’t guarantee she will make it past her 20’s. Dr. Doe, her father, is also a doctor at the same hospital working in a different department. He has offered a substantial amount of money to the hospital so that his daughter can receive the transplant. So far the understanding of utilitarian ethics is "the greatest happiness for the greatest number," but I must also consider deontology for this case. (Levith) According to Immanuel Kant, “It is goodwill that directs people to do what they ought to do rather
To: Earl Levith
From:
Date: 6/14/14
Re: Choices and Consequences Transcript
I have been informed of a heart that has become available. There are three patients awaiting a heart transplant. Each patient has their own unique situation, but in order to make an ethical decision that benefits the greater number of people, I must consider each person’s health history, life expectancy after the transplant, and the effect on their families. “If we make decisions on principles of utility or consequence, we would carefully consider everyone affected by the decision, and weigh the harms and benefits of every action.” (Levith)
There are three patients in need of a transplant; Ozzy, Lisa and Jerry. The first patient is Ozzy; he has been homeless for the past ten years. His heart condition is due to constant drug abuse and overdosing on crack cocaine. In the past few months he has started working with troubled teens at a local homework and tutoring hangout. If he receives the heart transplant he will live another 10-15 years and will be able to continue to be a mentor to teens. Because of his history with drugs, it is a high risk to choose him as a recipient. Drug abuse is a serious illness and he may relapse causing the new heart to become damaged and die within a few months. Lisa is a 12 year old with a lifetime of health issues. Her heart was damaged after fighting pneumonia the year before. Unfortunately because of her health history, a heart transplant won’t guarantee she will make it past her 20’s. Dr. Doe, her father, is also a doctor at the same hospital working in a different department. He has offered a substantial amount of money to the hospital so that his daughter can receive the transplant. So far the understanding of utilitarian ethics is "the greatest happiness for the greatest number," but I must also consider deontology for this case. (Levith) According to Immanuel Kant, “It is goodwill that directs people to do what they ought to do rather