In the second programme, the panel discusses the ethics behind giving patients temporary organ transplants.
Baby A was born with a bowel disorder and needs a combined liver and bowel transplant to survive in the long term. Bowels are in short supply, but without a new liver Baby A will die within weeks. Should Baby A be given this temporary liver? This same organ could bring years of life to one of 15 suitable children on the UK transplant waiting list.
"I am a third year pharmacy student and in this instance, I believe that Baby A should not receive the bridging liver as the stats are overwhelmingly against the baby. Thus other prospective individuals should benefit from the organ.
It seems quite heartless, but sometimes, ethics needs to be assessed from a distance and from a disjointed perspective. Then you observe the ultimate objectives and assess at a logical level.
Emotions do have a tendency to cloud the issues, but I guess it's why we have ethical debates such as these, to test our understanding and ultimately our race's objectives." Paul
"I found it hard to entirely agree that Baby A should be prioritised for a temporary transplant above another patient who would only need a single transplant.
This was not just because it would deny another a child that chance, but also because it could have left Baby A still recovering from that operation when both liver and bowel became available. So could have been too sick to receive or benefit from them." Cathryn
"Given the premise that all life is equally precious and the fact that organs are scarce, I would only put the baby on a liver/bowel waiting list. Giving the baby only a liver, a temporary solution, is tantamount to sacrificing the life of another child who could benefit from that liver.
Furthermore, in 6 months time, the same decision will have to be made. How many livers would this child receive, each one equating to another's life? It's a luxury we cannot afford at this point in medical technology.
Again, only if both a liver and bowel became available would the operation be worth considering, along with all the other factors such as the child's welfare, parents' wishes etc." Richard
"The lack of donations bothers me. Could we not have a voluntary donations scheme - you have to opt out instead of opt in - this would surely help the lack of donations." Anonymous.
