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Case Study: Corneas In The Congo

Decent Essays

Making ethical decision requires careful analysis and evaluation of each individual aspect associated with the case and selecting choices that are consistent with ethical principles. Moreover, it is very important to eliminate those options that are likely to yield further dire consequences and obstacles. In the case study “Corneas in the Congo”, because of a peculiar parasite in the water that destroys cornea of the eye, ten people in the camp have gone blind, and half of them are children. Upon contacting Doctors Without Borders, they informed that they could give cornea transplants for the people who have gone blind, but it was impossible to get corneas for transplant in Africa. The area director of Doctors Without Borders calls and tells …show more content…

While evaluating this obligation, two important parties I should consider are criminals and patients. Am I going to harm the criminals by accepting/not accepting the corneas? Am I going to harm my patients by accepting/not accepting the corneas? By accepting the corneas, I might be harming the criminals, as my acceptance will motivate the corrupt prison wardens to execute more and more criminals for corneas. However, my non-acceptance will not stop the execution of criminals. There are also too many people who are in need of corneas. On the other hand, with the assumption that corneas are healthy and can be used, by not accepting the corneas, I might be harming my patients. They are the ones who are in need of corneas, and those corneas from criminals are the only options available to get their vision back. Analyzing both situations, I am obligated to accept the corneas because my ethical obligation is towards my patients not toward criminals in China.
The third responsibility as the head of the agency is to do well to all of the refugees and mainly contribute to focus on getting the vision back of those patients who have gone blind i.e. beneficence. Lastly, I have the duty for self-improvement: the obligation to better oneself. Will I be able to preserve my personal dignity by accepting the corneas or by not accepting them? The answer is by accepting it because there are blind bodies that have …show more content…

Now, it’s time to make a decision so that we can select the course of action for our ethical question, i.e. shall I (as the head of a small aid agency) accept the corneas from Chinese aid agency to get the vision back for those ten people who have gone blind?
According to the theory of utilitarianism, an ethical decision is that which brings more happiness than harm. Moreover, out of 10 common-sense moral principles obligation, my primary obligation is to do good deeds for those refugees who are in my camp. It is obvious that non-acceptance of corneas will not stop the unethical practices and execution of criminals for livers and corneas, and it is evident that accepting the corneas will give the vision back to those people who have lost their site as well as improving their quality of life.
It is important to understand that ethics is not equal to personal emotions. Therefore, ethical decision making should be void of personal feelings. Moreover, an ethical action is that which protects and respect the moral perspectives of those affected. Indeed, ethical approaches help to determine the standards of behavior that constitute a common good for the human

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