The mechanisms of ethical decision as a social process. A case of discrimination with lethal potential
A XI-a Ediţie a Şcolii Franco-Române de Metodologie în Stiinţele Sociale- Migrations dans l’espace européen pendant la crise économique– Copyright © 2012
FORMAT | Presented paper
LANGUAGE |English
HOW TO CITE| SANDU, Antonio, & Caras, A. (2012). The mechanisms of ethical decision as a social process. A case of discrimination with lethal potential. Prezentată la A XI-a Ediţie a Şcolii Franco-Române de Metodologie în Stiinţele Sociale- Migrations dans l’espace européen pendant la crise économique, 17–20 octombrie 2012, Iaşi.
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ABSTRACT
The central ethical issue is the analysis of a case where an Italian doctor refuses to perform a heart transplant to a Romanian immigrant justifying that Italian hearts should be used in order to save the life of Italian citizens. With certainty, the Hippocratic Oath and medical ethics in general fight discrimination on any criteria, including that of ethnic origin. On the other hand, the situation presented involves a kind of choice whose final can be the death of a patient, in this case, either the (Romanian) immigrant or the next patient on the list of transplant. Throughout the article we will examine the significance of non-discrimination and also other principles of bioethics such as nonmaleficence and beneficence in terms of a choice where the outcome is uncertain (due to implied risk of transplant) but potentially fatal regardless of the solution chosen. In these circumstances, can identity ethics justify the choice of the doctor? We will seek to identify the mechanisms of ethical decision as a social process in a case of discrimination with lethal potential.
KEYWORDS:
The mechanisms, ethical decision, social process, case of discrimination.