CauseandEffect
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Dec 6, 2023
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The Impact of Organ Shortages
Angelika Morton
Grand Canyon University
English 106: English Comp 2
Amberly Neese
11/08/2023
1
Introduction
In addressing the intricate complexities of the organ shortage crisis, it is imperative to
recognize the multifaceted challenges that have exacerbated this pressing issue within the
healthcare landscape. The growing demand for life-saving organ transplants, compared against
the stark limitations in organ availability, has given rise to a deeply concerning cause-and-effect
relationship. This dynamic interplay significantly impacts not only the length of patient waitlists
but also the ultimate outcomes for those navigating the arduous path toward transplantation. As
we navigate this essay, a comprehensive exploration of the myriad factors contributing to the
scarcity of organs will unfold, shedding light on the profound repercussions faced by individuals
in dire need and the tangible implications for their chances of survival.
The Ripple Effect of Organ Shortages
Organ shortages have created a ripple effect in the realm of healthcare, with far-
reaching consequences for patients and healthcare systems. The scarcity of organs for
transplantation has led to extended waitlists, where individuals in dire need of life saving
procedures are forced to endure a prolonged period of uncertainty and deteriorating health. As
the waitlists grow, patient outcomes are adversely affected, with increased mortality rates and
decreased quality of life for those awaiting transplantation. Additionally the strain on
healthcare resources intensifies, as hospitals and medical professionals grapple with the
challenge of managing an ever-expanding patient population. The ripple effect of organ
shortages extends beyond the individuals on the waitlists, impacting society as a whole,
underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address this critical issue.
In the
United States, for example, the number of patients on the waiting list in the year 2006 had risen
to over 95,000, while the number of patient deaths was over 6,300. This organ shortage crisis has
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deprived thousands of patients of a new and better quality of life
(Abouna, G. M. 2008).
This
organ shortage crisis has deprived thousands of patients of a new and better quality of life and
has caused a substantial increase in the cost of alternative medical care such as dialysis. There
are several procedures and pathways which have been shown to provide practical and effective
solutions to this crisis (Abouna, G. M. 2008). The implementation of these solutions could
eliminate the organ shortage crisis and save many lives.
Strategies to Alleviate Organ Shortages
Addressing organ shortages involves a complex web of strategies and innovations, each
with its own set of ethical dilemmas. In the Unites States, over 100,000 people are on the waiting
list to receive an organ. While waiting almost 10,000 people die or are considered too sick to
receive a transplant (Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics). Organ procurement
organizations and transplant centers have been striving to increase the pool of available organs
through initiatives. These efforts aim to expand the supply of organs, thereby reducing patient
waitlists and improving transplant outcomes.
These include implementation of appropriate
educational programs for the public and hospital staff regarding the need and benefits of organ
donation, the appropriate utilization of marginal (extended criteria donors), acceptance of paired
organ donation, the acceptance of the concept of "presumed consent," implementation of a
system of "rewarded gifting" for the family of the diseased donor and also for the living donor,
developing an altruistic system of donation from a living donor to an unknown recipient, and
accepting the concept of a controlled system of financial payment for the donor.(Abouna G.M.
2008)
However, such strategies can raise ethical questions, including concerns about
commercialization of organ donation and the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
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Balancing the need for more organs with the ethical considerations surrounding their
procurement is a critical aspect of mitigating the far-reaching effects of organ shortages.
Ethical Dilemmas in the Face of Organ Shortages
The ethical concerns surrounding organ shortages loom large in the field of
transplantation. One of the most pressing issues is the equitable distribution of organs. The Organ
Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is responsible for distributing deceased organ
donations (Schellinger Et. Al.). There are different policies used to govern where each organ
goes, these policies are particularly susceptible to bias. The allocation criteria, which prioritizes
factors such as medical urgency and waiting time can create disparities, raising questions about
fairness and justice in the allocation process. Additionally, concerns about incentivized donation
and potential exploitation of vulnerable populations pose significant ethical challenges. There is
a delicate balance to be struck between addressing the urgent need for organs and ensuring that
these strategies uphold the principles of autonomy, informed consent, and social justice. Ethical
deliberations are an integral part of the ongoing discourse aimed at finding ethical and effective
solutions to the organ shortage crisis.
The Ordeal of Patient Waitlists in the Face of Organ Shortages
The patient waitlist for organ transplantation is a critical component of the healthcare
system, where lives unfortunately hang in the balance. The ordeal of patient waitlists intensifies
amidst the persistent challenges of organ shortages. Patients in need of an organ transplant often
find themselves on a precarious journey, navigating a prolonged period or uncertainty and
deteriorating health as they wait for a suitable donor. The length of these waitlists continues to
grow, straining healthcare resources and posing challenges for patients, families and medical
professionals alike. The length and uncertainty of the wait can take a toll on the mental and
4
physical well-being of those in need, underscoring the urgency of addressing organ shortages and
streamlining the transplant process to reduce the burden on patients and improve their chances of
a successful outcome.
the persistent ordeal of patient waitlists in the face of
organ shortages demands a comprehensive and ethically sound approach. As
we navigate the intricate landscape of transplantation, addressing the ethical
dimensions of prioritization, allocation policies, and concerns about potential
exploitation is paramount.
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)
must continue refining its strategies to ensure a fair and just distribution of organs. Balancing the
urgent need for organs with a steadfast commitment to ethical principles, including autonomy
and informed consent, remains a central challenge. The ongoing discourse and ethical
deliberations serve as guiding beacons in our collective quest for solutions, aiming not only to
alleviate organ shortages but also to foster a system that upholds the dignity and well-being of all
those impacted by this critical medical dilemma.
The Organ Supply Chain
The organ supply chain is a complex and tightly orchestrated process that connects
donors, medical professionals and recipients in the critical journey of organ transplantation.
Nearly every hour, a patient in the USA dies while waiting for an organ transplant (Degenholtz et
al., 2019).
A human organ can only stay viable outside of the body for a handful of hours, so
matching a donor with a recipient often depends on their physical distance from one another. For
several decades, organs were allocated according to the “regional system,” which prioritised
allocating organs within the borders of semi- arbitrary management districts along state lines
(Parent & Caplan, 2017, p. 19). While changing the organ allocation system, could help increase
the total number or transplant operations, the total would still be limited by the number of organs
5
available for transplant. The supply chain plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the
scarcity of available organs and the pressing need of patients on transplant waitlists. Its
effectiveness is not only vital for the success of individual transplant procedures, but is also
instrumental in addressing the broader challenge or organ shortages and improving the overall
outcomes for patients in need.
Closing
In conclusion, the ripple effect of organ shortages has far-reaching implications for both
patients and healthcare systems. The extended patient waitlists and diminished outcomes for
those in need underscore the urgency of addressing this critical issue. Strategies and innovations
aimed at alleviating organ shortages are being explored, but they bring with them a host of
ethical dilemmas that demand careful consideration. The role of public awareness and education
in promoting organ donation, advancements in organ regeneration, and the impact of legislation
and policy reforms cannot be underestimated in mitigating the crisis. Furthermore, international
collaboration through global organ exchange programs has the potential to widen the pool of
available organs. Patient waitlists remain a challenging aspect of the organ shortage issue,
putting lives on hold while they navigate a broken system, in dire need of improvement, Finally,
the organ supply chain, an intricate web of logistics, and medical expertise, connects donors
medical professionals, and recipients in the life-saving journey of transplantation, emphasizing
its vital role in bridging the gap between organ scarcity and patient need. In the face of this
multifaceted crisis, an approach that combines awareness, ethical considerations, scientific
progress, and logistical efficiency is essential to ensure a brighter future for those awaiting organ
transplant.
6
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