PHIL 434 Week 6 Scenario and Reflection Essay Template
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West Coast University *
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434
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Philosophy
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Feb 20, 2024
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Week 6 Scenario and Reflection Essay
West Coast University
PHIL 434: Medical Ethics and Issues
12/10/23
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Week 6 Scenario and Reflection Essay
Organ transplantation has been debated for a long time, with issues ranging from organ availability to the rise of transplant tourism (Tosh, n.d.). In this reflection, I will explore the need
for reform in the sale and availability of organs globally, looking at transplant tourism and advocating for culturally focused solutions. The reflection will discuss ethical theories in relation
to the topic of transplant tourism. The verdict that reform is essential regarding organ sale and availability is rooted in recognizing the growing challenges in the current system. Due to the shortage of organs, unethical practices such as trafficking, and exploitation is occurring around the world (Monterrosa-Yancey, 2018). As a result, a detailed analysis of the existing system is needed to develop a comprehensive reform to ensure ethical organ attainment practices worldwide.
Transplant tourism, the practice of individuals traveling to other countries for organ transplantation, presents a complex ethical dilemma. Among the four responses offered in the scenario, the emphasis on culturally focused solutions is the most ethical. Cultural considerations
play a central role in shaping perspectives on organ donation and transplantation, making it imperative to create solutions to all communities unique values and beliefs.
In considering the issue of transplant tourism and advocating for culturally focused solutions, virtue ethics provides a compelling framework. Virtue ethics, focuses on cultivating virtuous character traits and moral virtues within individuals (Pence, 2021). Applying virtue ethics to the stance on transplant tourism stresses the importance of fostering virtuous behaviors and attitudes within both individuals and societies. In the context of organ transplantation, this
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theory argues that individuals and societies should cultivate virtues that promote a deep understanding of the ethical dimensions of organ donation and transplantation. By emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion, virtue ethics align with the need for a compassionate
approach to address the challenges posed by transplant tourism.
Evidence supporting the need for reform and culturally focused solutions can be found in the prevalence of transplant tourism and the associated black market organ trade. Countries with inadequate regulations or lax enforcement often become hotspots for illicit organ trafficking (Monterrosa-Yancey, 2018). For instance, the World Health Organization reports instances of forced organ harvesting, where vulnerable individuals are coerced into donating organs against their will (World Health Organization, 2018). These examples underscore the urgency of addressing the ethical issues surrounding organ transplantation.
In conclusion, virtue ethics emerges as a relevant and effective ethical theory to support the stance on transplant tourism. By emphasizing the cultivation of virtues, the theory promotes a
compassionate and culturally sensitive approach to organ transplantation. We can work towards a more ethically sound and culturally sensitive approach to organ transplantation globally by advocating for reform and supporting these arguments with evidence and ethical theories.
References
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Pence, G. (2021). Medical ethics: Accounts of ground-breaking cases
(9th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.
Tosh, N. (n.d.-a). Annual ethics symposium: Evolving ethics: Debating transplant tourism
[Video]. Canvas@WCU. https://canvas.westcoastuniversity.edu/
Monterrosa-Yancey, K. (2018, July 31).
ACAMS today
. ACAMS Today. https://www.acamstoday.org/organ-trafficking-the-unseen-form-of-human-
trafficking/
World Health Organization. (2018). Organ trafficking and transplantation pose new challenges. https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/9/08-030908/en/