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
Selling kidneys in India
Organ Supemarket
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
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