Reference no: EM133785403

Problem

Martha Sinclair brings her husband to the hospital every week for dialysis. George Sinclair, a 70- year old man, suffers from diabetes. He suffered a mild brain injury some years ago and occasionally becomes confused. He can still conduct his life in a fairly normal manner, though he usually needs help remembering where he is and what he should be doing. Martha has taken over responsibility for her husband's care and acts as his decision maker. George jokes and smiles, and seems happy with his life, interacting with friends and family regularly. He has been going to the hospital for renal dialysis for the past six months, but the disease is progressing. Recently, the doctors had to operate to remove one of George's toes. They informed Martha that that without a transplant, George might need further amputations. Martha is exhausted from the weekly trips to and from the hospital.

Although there are no human organs currently available, there is another option. Geneticists have been able to modify genes with the intent to grow healthy new tissue but has not yet been successful in human recipients. This somatic gene therapy can serve as an alternate means of treatment for people with an increased risk of rejection by the recipient. Martha's husband is an excellent candidate for such surgery. Such treatment, however, have not yet been performed. This would be an experimental surgery, and George would have to be kept in isolation and closely monitored for several years after the transplant.

The doctors have been encouraging Martha and George to be in the study. Because George would be in isolation at the hospital, the constant trips to and from the hospital would end. As it stands now, every trip to the hospital is like the first time for George; he is confused and frightened.

The doctors also tell Martha that George would be doing something good for future patients if she agrees to the experimental treatment. It may benefit George himself, and it would certainly benefit future patients. One of George's doctors has assured Martha that he will personally see to it that George is comfortable during his stay at the hospital, as he is one of the key researchers conducting this study.

1) Identify and balance the conflicting principles

2) Analyze the conflicting principles using ethical theory. Determine which principles should be supported and why and determine which principles should be rejected and why.