Sunday, September 12, 2010

Organ Donation Letter

This is a fake letter I wrote for my high school biology class. We're studying organs, and in the letter, we have to talk about our point of view on who should get the organ transplant. But first, we were put into groups- either kidney or liver. Within each group, there are assigned fictional parts, such as a doctor who does not agree with how people who have more wealth and status are a higher priority, no matter thier age, than perhaps, a young and poorer person; an 80-year old grandmother who has served as a nurse in Vietnam and needs a liver transplant; a 50-year old recovered alcoholic who is divorced, has two grown children, and needs a liver; and a 40-year-old 4th grade teacher who's a single mother of two young children who also needs a liver transplant. The group's job is to discuss who would get the liver. The fun part is that everyone needs to stay in their character, so everyone advocates for him or herself, saying why they think they ought to get the liver. As for the doctor, who doesn't need the liver, she says who, in her opinion, should get the liver. That's me- the doctor. A letter was written by each person in the group to advocate for what they think. Here's my letter to the people in charge of giving out the organs:
Dear Madam or Sir,
             I am a local doctor by the name of Dr. Celey McBuster, MD. Personally, it makes me extremely frustrated to see the advantage wealthy and 'high ranking' citizens seem to have over those who do not have as much wealth, yet contribute just as much to society. Growing up poor, I have come across many injustices that have happened to me and people I know, just because we did not have much wealth. I do not think people should be allowed to buy thier way into or out of anything. Unfortunately, that injustice happens all the time, from jail to organ donations. I watched helplessly a week ago as a 16 year old boy died in my care because he did not receive the liver transplant he so badly needed. Later that week, I read in the paper of a 60-year-old politician who got a liver transplant. I believe the boy should have gotten the transplant, and it makes my heart break to know he did not. The instance I have just described is not the first time I have seen wealthy, 'high ranking' citizens have priority over others. I find the current system of organ donation un-ethical. I believe doctors, such as myself, should have more control over who gets the organ donation and who doesn't. I think age should have a higher priority over wealth, health a higher priority over status. Please take my concerns into account, as it will greatly affect the lives of many.
                                                                       Sincerely,

                                                            Dr. Celey McBuster, MD

P.S. May I add that, being a doctor, I do realize how, in certain situations, it would be better for an older person to get the liver, such as if the liver would not work for anyone else, or if the older person needed it right away, but the younger person could wait for a while. I beg you to know that while it may seem like a good idea to have a wealthy person pay their way up in line for a transplant, it is not always the right thing to do. Doctors, I feel, would have a positive influence on this decision, as we are much learned in this area.

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