The Case of the Missing Kidneys

• Does the family of a deceased person have the right to determine what happens to their loved ones’ organs after they die?
• If so, what is the ethical basis for this right? If not, why not?
• What are the issues associated with a specific group having a higher rate of eligibility to become organ donors than the general public, if they are not eligible to receive a larger number of transplanted organs?
• What ethical issues arise if the organ donor pool is a marginalized community, such as heroin users, who suffer from addiction, which is a serious and stigmatized disease?
• Under what conditions can heroin users consent to becoming living or deceased organ donors?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)

Source – Santa Clara University, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics