Ethics in Transplantation: Deciding Who Gets the Next Available Organ

When it comes to liver allocation for transplant patients on the waiting list, should factors other than MELD scores be considered? I've often considered this topic, which popped up again this morning when I read about man in New York who is suspected of killing his wife yet received an emergency liver transplant ahead of 2,000+ other people on New York's waiting list.

Turns out the guy needed the transplant because he consumed rat poisin in a botched suicide attempt and the poison ruined his liver.

Was this fair? I don't know. As I've stated before, I'm glad I don't make these decisions.

Photo by Sigurd Decroos