Animal To Human Organ Transplants example essay topic

The Ethics involved in Organ Transplants In today's society the need for organs to transplant is great. Few people question the ethics of organ transplants. The debate is over how to fulfill the great need for healthy organs. The transfer of organs and tissues from one body to another has become an important issue. Surgery involving organ transplantation is one of medicines greatest achievements. Thousands of people are given a longer life through the donation of organs.

Transplant surgery has saved many lives in the last 40 years. The demand for healthy organs is a lot greater than the supply. This debate combines medicine with politics, ethics, research, religion and many other matters. Many questions come up in this debate. Should people be permitted to sell their organs? Should animals be sacrificed to save the lives of humans?

Could cloning be considered as a future source of organs? How do we get organs, and how do we decide who will receive the implants? The search and transfer of organs and tissue from one body to another is an important issue. There are always fewer donors than recipients and thats why about 5,000 people die every year while waiting for new organs.

In order to receive organs everyone is required to pay. Many poor people can't afford to go through the process. Transplants are procedures for those with lots f money or with lots of insurance. Is it fair to let the choice of who gets new organs to depend on social worth?

Another issue is should alcoholics be denied liver transplants. Many believe they should be denied because they could have avoided the situation and are partly responsible for the damage. Other questions arise when debating organ transplantation from the dead. There is controversy over when death really occurs. Is it when the heart and lungs stop or when the brain stops being active? This issue is important because many don't want to take organs from people when they are still alive but waiting for the brain to be completely dead can leave many organs useless.

There are also questions about consent. Today someone had to agree for transplantation if they organs are to be removed after they are dead. Many believe this should be changed so they organs are removed unless the person says no. Issues involving kidney transplants are popular because people only need one kidney to survive.

Should you be able to sell your kidney? Another debated issue is animal to human organ transplants or xenotransplantation. It includes the grafting of cells, tissues or organs from non-human species into human species. Myths from many religions have fantasized on this topic for years. Is it ethical to kill animals to obtain their parts to use in human beings?