The drug addict or the elderly?

[cryhavoc]

Car crash. Two people, one an elderly, respectable figure in the community.

The other, a young person with a history of drug abuse.

Someone else dies, leaving behind the exact organ they both need, but because of logistics, the waiting list is not considered, just these two people.

The organ will be wasted if you don't pick. Who do you give it to and why?

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[doc05]

that's a stupid question. under what circumstances would a car crash lead to need for immediate organ transplant?

 

[DrMason]

Car crash. Two people, one an elderly, respectable figure in the community.

The other, a young person with a history of drug abuse.

Someone else dies, leaving behind the exact organ they both need, but because of logistics, the waiting list is not considered, just these two people.

The organ will be wasted if you don't pick. Who do you give it to and why?

Unrealistic scenario, but conceptually I would give it to the elderly. You destroy yourself, don't ask my tax payer money to fix it.

 

[Danbo1957]

A morality issue; try it from this angle: which person would the organ want to go to?

 

[DrMason]

A morality issue; try it from this angle: which person would the organ want to go to?

Probably the elderly. The likelihood of an addict relapsing and damaging himself again is a real thing and giving him something ahead of those playing with the rules would risk more damage to the organ than an older, resourceful person.

Otherwise, a physiological match and success may be initially higher, but the chances of damage down the road may be sooner for the addict,,assuming the older doesn't die of old age.