MEDA 112 Medical Law, Ethics & Bioethics

Chapter 12Allocation of Scarce Medical

Resources

In regard to how resources are distributed and how money is spent:

Who has more right?Who has more need?

Who has more merit?

What responsibility does a patient have in factoring allocation of resources?

Organ Transplant

Waiting list candidates 109,568

Transplant January - November 2010

16,778Donors January – July 2010

8,477Data retrieved 2/13/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qProsHwrL0A

Selling kidneys in India

Organ Supemarket

An Ethical Dilemma

• Liver transplant video

http://www.donatelifetoday.com/

Guidelines to use to determine if your action is morally right

Is it legal?

Does it hurt anyone?

Are you proud of your decision?

Medical Ethics based on Philosophical Principles

Non-malfeasanceBeneficenceAutonomy

FidelityJustice

Nonmalfeasance

• "As to diseases, make a habit of two things—to help, or at least do no harm."

--- Hippocrates, The Epidemics

Beneficence

• prevent harm• acts of mercy, kindness, and charity,

and is suggestive of altruism, love, humanity, and promoting the good of others

• doing what’s best to benefit the patient

Autonomy

• Self determination

• Informed consent

• Whose body?

Fidelity

FaithfulnessKeeping a promise

either explicit or implicit

Justice

• Being fair and treating others equally

• Should there be compensation for those people who suffer social inequities?

Wednesday: Test 2