Biomedical Example Worksheet Guidelines
Assignment Scenario:
Mickey Mantle received a liver transplant in 1995. He was a Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder for the New York Yankees whose liver was failing because of cirrhosis and hepatitis. Although the waiting period for a liver transplant in the United States is about 130 days, it took only two days for the Baylor Medical Center’s transplant team to find an organ donor for the 63-year-old former baseball hero.
According to the director of the Southwest Organ Bank, Mantle was moved ahead of others on the list because of his deteriorating medical condition; however, there were mixed feelings about speeding up the process for a celebrity. Mantle was known for overcoming immense obstacles, and many argued that the medical system should provide exceptions for heroes. He was also a recovering alcoholic, which further complicated the ethical implications of the case. Because of Mantle’s medical problems, doctors estimated that he had only a 60 percent chance for a three-year survival; whereas, liver transplant patients typically have about a 78 percent chance for a three-year survival rate.
As in the case of the liver transplant for Mickey Mantle, should the system make exceptions for anyone? Why or why not?
2. Define the precise ethical issue(s).
3. Name the major principles and supporting evidence present in the scenario.
4. What are the possible actions that could have been taken?
5. How do the possible actions “match up” with the identified principles?
6. What are the consequences of each of the possible actions? Which consequence presents the greatest good for the greatest number?
7. What is the decision that ought to have been made?