Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1990

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Philosophy

Major Professor

Glenn C. Graber

Committee Members

John W. Davis, Rem B. Edwards, Johnie N. Mozingo

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to deal with an unusual problem in the allocation of scarce resources which has arisen in recent years in medical care. Despite astonishing advances in the area of organ transplantation, we continue to face a shortage of usable human organs. Given this shortage, we must deal with the problem of justly distributing available organs. In order to deal with this problem, the history of the distribution of human body parts is examined with particular attention to the allocation of human blood. The distributional policies advocated by the United Network for Organ Sharing are explained in order to show how whole cadaver organs are currently being allocated. Consideration is also given to the theoretical issues associated with distributive justice. Eight possible systems of just allocation of health care are considered, and a theory of modified altruistic reciprocity is finally advocated. In allocating human donor organs by means of altruistic reciprocity, only those who are willing to be organ donors would be considered to be entitled to receive organ transplants.

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