RESUMEN
Lethal organ donation is a hypothetical procedure in which vital organs are removed from living donors, resulting in their death. An important objection to lethal organ donation is that it would infringe the prohibition on doctors intentionally causing the death of patients. I present a series of arguments intended to undermine this objection. In a case of lethal organ donation, the donor's death is merely foreseen, and not intended.
Asunto(s)
Muerte , Donadores Vivos/ética , Enfermo Terminal , Obtención de Tejidos y Órganos/ética , Humanos , Consentimiento Informado , Intención , Donadores Vivos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Filosofía Médica , Obtención de Tejidos y Órganos/legislación & jurisprudenciaRESUMEN
According to the Standard View, a doctor who withdraws life-sustaining treatment does not kill the patient but rather allows the patient to die-an important distinction, according to some. I argue that killing (and causing death) can be understood in either of two ways, and given the relevant understanding, the Standard View is insulated from typical criticisms. I conclude by noting several problems for the Standard View that remain to be fully addressed.
Asunto(s)
Suicidio Asistido/ética , Privación de Tratamiento/ética , Discusiones Bioéticas , Humanos , Intención , Principios Morales , Filosofía MédicaRESUMEN
It is widely believed to be permissible for a physician to discontinue any treatment upon the request of a competent patient. Many also believe it is never permissible for a physician to intentionally kill a patient. I argue that the prospect of deactivating a patient's artificial heart presents us with a dilemma: either the first belief just mentioned is false or the second one is. Whichever horn of the dilemma we choose has significant implications for contemporary medical ethics.