People encounter numerous ethical dilemmas, both personally and professionally, throughout their lifetime. However, very few take the time to understand how their underlying values and biases may drive their ethical decision-making. Uncovering these values and biases is useful for developing ethical competence and cultural humility, two important aspects of this course.
In this Discussion, you will respond to an ethical dilemma involving potential recipients for a heart transplant. It is important that you respond based on your “gut” reaction rather than adhering to any particular ethical code or standards. The purpose of this Discussion is to gain a greater awareness of how your values and biases guide your decisions.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
TO PREPARE
· Review your Course Announcements for possible information related to this week’s Discussion and Assignment.
· Read the “Heart Transplant Ethical Dilemma.”
· Identify five patients you believe should receive the heart transplant and make note of your reasoning. Keep in mind that that there is no right answer.
· After you have identified the five patients you believe should receive the heart transplant, review the Learning Resources on values, biases, and ethical decision-making. Reflect on how your values and biases may have influenced your response to the heart transplant dilemma.
BY DAY 4
Post the five patients you believe should receive the heart transplant and explain your reasoning. Be sure to include the criteria you used to determine who should receive the transplant.
People encounter numerous ethical dilemmas, both personally and professionally, throughout their lifetime
**Patients for Heart Transplant Consideration:**
- **Sarah**: A 30-year-old single mother of two young children. She is the primary caregiver for her children and is actively involved in her community. Her survival would greatly impact her children’s well-being and future.
- **John**: A 45-year-old firefighter who has served his community for over two decades. He has a strong support system in his family and is dedicated to his profession, often putting himself at risk to save others.
- **Elderly Patient**: A 75-year-old retired teacher who has dedicated her life to educating future generations. Despite her age, she remains mentally sharp and actively contributes to society through volunteer work and mentoring.
- **Joe**: A 50-year-old CEO of a successful company. He is financially well-off and has access to the best medical care. His contributions to the economy and society are significant, and his survival could potentially benefit many others through his philanthropic efforts.
- **Young Athlete**: A 25-year-old professional athlete with a promising career ahead of him. His athleticism inspires many and brings joy to his fans. His survival would not only benefit him but also the sports community as a whole.
**Reasoning and Criteria:**
– **Impact on Dependents**: Consideration was given to individuals with dependents who rely on them for care and support. Sarah and John both fit this criterion as their survival directly impacts the well-being of their families and communities.
– **Contribution to Society**: The contributions each individual has made to society were taken into account. The retired teacher and the firefighter have both dedicated their lives to serving others, while the CEO has made significant contributions to the economy and charitable causes.
– **Long-Term Potential**: The potential for long-term impact and contributions to society was also considered. While the young athlete may not have made as significant contributions as the others, his potential to inspire and positively influence others through his career was taken into account.
**Reflection on Values and Biases:**
Upon reflection, I acknowledge that my choices may be influenced by biases towards individuals who have made significant contributions to society or who have dependents relying on them. There may also be biases towards valuing younger individuals with potential for future contributions. Additionally, personal values such as the importance of family and community impact may have influenced my decisions.
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