Double-Effect Donation Disputed

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Medical Ethics
• Philosophy of Medicine

Background:

• The concept of "double effect donation" proposes moral permissibility for living organ donation where donor death is a foreseeable outcome.
• This challenges traditional ethical frameworks regarding living organ donation and the principle of preserving life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the ethical permissibility of living individuals donating entire, singular, vital organs.
• To argue against the application of double-effect reasoning in scenarios leading to donor death.

Main Methods:

• Ethical analysis of the "double effect donation" concept.
• Application of the dead donor rule to living organ donation scenarios.
• Philosophical argumentation on the intentionality of causing death in organ donation.

Main Results:

• Living donation of an entire, singular, vital organ, even with foreseeable death, is ethically impermissible.
• Performing such a procedure constitutes intentionally causing the donor's death.
• Double-effect reasoning does not ethically support organ donation resulting in donor death.

Conclusions:

• The ethical framework for organ donation must uphold the dead donor rule.
• Surgeons and medical professionals should not perform procedures that intentionally cause donor death for organ procurement.
• The ethical permissibility of living organ donation requires careful consideration beyond foreseeable outcomes.