Lung transplants while not exactly routine are becoming more prevalent. However,

Question

Lung transplants while not exactly routine are becoming more prevalent. However, the list of people needing a transplant is much longer than the list of available organs. Potential recipients must get onto a lung transplant waiting list before receiving a matching organ. Go to the following websites and read about the process of becoming a lung recipient. http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/pultransplantation/transplantlist.cfm http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/Treatments.asp?sid=121#Criteria

Notice that the criteria for getting on the transplant list includes having no "financial or social" issues which may compromise the success of the transplant. What do you think they mean by financial or social issues? Do you think that financial or social issues should be criteria for determining who gets a medically necessary organ transplant? Why or why not? Do you think financial hardship or social issues are or should be a moral/legal/ethical reason to deny a transplant? What should be the deciding factors? What if the decision comes down to a single mother of 3 small kids versus a 60 year old prominent businessman? What if it comes down to a person who has smoked for 30 years versus someone who has never smoked?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lung-transplant/MY00106

Explanation / Answer

Lung transplantation is a medical procedure in which the organ is removed from one body and placed in the body of a recipient, inorder to replace the damage or missing organ. To reduce transplantation rejections, the donor-recipient match is made appropriate by determining through serotyping.
Patients must meet a broad range of criterias to become eligible for transplantation. One of the criteria is having no
financial or social issues. This means that a social evaluation is necessary to determine if the candidates undergoing transplantation have the pyschological stability, motivation and personal support to meet the challenges of transplantation. To ensure that the patient will not experience any financial hardship related to the lung transplant, the insurance coordinator will review the patient's available insurance and coordinates insurance coverage with outside case managers. The social worker for lung transplant program will complete this social evaluation and relevant financial issues.
Yes, I think that financial or social issues should be criteria for determining who gets a medically necessary organ
transplant and financial hardship or social issues should be a moral/legal/ethical reason to deny a transplant because the selection is based on best match , outcome and survival and organ procurement and transfer is very expensive.
The deciding factors for a lung transplant include coping skills, family support, patient motivation to follow
posttransplant regimen.
If the 60 year old prominent business man physical condition meets the typical condition of someone of similar age or younger, then he may be eligible for lung transplantation. Here meeting the physical condition is the deciding factor.
The realistic understanding of the implications of the lung transplantation is the deciding factor when it comes down
to a person who has smoked for 30 years versus someone who has never smoked.

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