Journal article
Living donation and cosmetic surgery: a double standard in medical ethics?
The Journal of clinical ethics, Vol.23(2), pp.110-117
2012
DOI: 10.1086/JCE201223202
PMID: 22822698
Abstract
The commitment of transplant physicians to protect the physical and psychological health of potential donors is fundamental to the process of living donor organ transplantation. It is appropriate that strict regulations to govern an individual's decision to donate have been developed. Some may argue that adherence to such regulations creates a doctor-patient relationship that is rooted in paternalism, which is in drastic contrast with a doctor-patient relationship that is rooted in patients' autonomy, characteristic of most other operative interventions. In this article we analyze the similarities between cosmetic plastic surgery and living donor surgery as examples of surgeries governed by different ethical principles. It is interesting that, while the prevailing ethical approach in living donor surgery is based on paternalism, the ethical principle guiding cosmetic surgery is respect for patients' autonomy. The purpose of this article is not to criticize either practice, but to suggest that, given the similarities between the two procedures, both operative interventions should be guided by the same ethical principle: a respect for patients' autonomy. We further suggest that if living organ donation valued donors' autonomy as much as cosmetic plastic surgery does, we might witness a wider acceptance of and increase in living organ donation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Living donation and cosmetic surgery: a double standard in medical ethics?
- Creators
- Giuliano Testa - Baylor University Medical CenterErica CarlisleMary SimmerlingPeter Angelos
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of clinical ethics, Vol.23(2), pp.110-117
- DOI
- 10.1086/JCE201223202
- PMID
- 22822698
- ISSN
- 1046-7890
- eISSN
- 1945-5879
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2012
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Surgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984322794202771
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