Medical Ethics Advisor – March 1, 2003
March 1, 2003
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Consciousness vs. physiology: When is death really death?
Even as this country struggles with a shortage of organs from donors, some ethicists are beginning to question the morality of harvesting organs from the group that serves as their primary source patients who are brain dead but have functioning hearts, lungs, and circulatory systems. -
New options needed to increase organ donations
As shortages continue, experts weigh alternatives. When a patient in Chicago nephrologist Paul W. Crawfords practice suddenly turned up with a new kidney after a trip to Mexico, the doctor didnt want to ask a lot of questions. -
Consent from families: Is there a better way to ask?
Given that fewer than half of families approached about organ donation give consent, it is essential that hospitals and procurement coordinators examine how they approach families at such a crucial time, say officials with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). -
Supreme Court to weigh Maine drug-discount plan
State health policy experts and pharmaceutical company officials are anxiously awaiting the U.S. Supreme Courts decision on a controversial Maine program designed to help residents unable to afford prescription drug coverage get lower-cost medications. -
News Briefs
UT Supreme Court upholds wrongful-life statute; Consumer group claims doctors strike unlawful; NEJM retracts study after authors point to forgery