You are members of the heart transplant surgery team at a local hospital. At this moment, you have six patients who desperately need a heart transplant if they are to have any chance of living. You have just received word that the heart of a 16 year old boy, who was killed in an auto accident has become available for transplantation. Speed is extremely important as you decide which of the following patients is to receive the heart. Not only might the patient’s die, the donor heart will soon begin to deteriorate. The heart would work equally well in any of the patients. 

 

THE PROCESS

1.    List the reasons each donor should receive the heart

2.    List the reasons each donor should not receive the heart

3.    Rank the patients in the order you think they should receive the heart

a.     1 is first to receive 

b.    6 is last to receive 

4.    Finally, be prepared to answer the argument of other members of the heart team who feel differently than you.