Living Donation and Cosmetic Surgery: A Double Standard in Medical Ethics?

J Clin Ethics. 2012 Summer;23(2):110-7

Posted: 8 Nov 2014

See all articles by Giuliano Testa

Giuliano Testa

University of Chicago

Erica Carlisle

Independent

Mary Simmerling

Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medical College

Peter Angelos

Northwestern University

Date Written: 2012

Abstract

The commitment of transplant physicians to protect the physical and psychological health of potential donors is fundamental to the process of living donor organ transplantation. It is appropriate that strict regulations to govern an individual's decision to donate have been developed. Some may argue that adherence to such regulations creates a doctor-patient relationship that is rooted in paternalism, which is in drastic contrast with a doctor-patient relationship that is rooted in patients' autonomy, characteristic of most other operative interventions. In this article we analyze the similarities between cosmetic plastic surgery and living donor surgery as examples of surgeries governed by different ethical principles. It is interesting that, while the prevailing ethical approach in living donor surgery is based on paternalism, the ethical principle guiding cosmetic surgery is respect for patients' autonomy. The purpose of this article is not to criticize either practice, but to suggest that, given the similarities between the two procedures, both operative interventions should be guided by the same ethical principle: a respect for patients' autonomy. We further suggest that if living organ donation valued donors' autonomy as much as cosmetic plastic surgery does, we might witness a wider acceptance of and increase in living organ donation.

Suggested Citation

Testa, Giuliano and Carlisle, Erica and Simmerling, Mary and Angelos, Peter, Living Donation and Cosmetic Surgery: A Double Standard in Medical Ethics? (2012). J Clin Ethics. 2012 Summer;23(2):110-7, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2520252

Giuliano Testa (Contact Author)

University of Chicago ( email )

1101 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

Erica Carlisle

Independent ( email )

Mary Simmerling

Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medical College ( email )

1300 York Avenue
New York, NY 10065
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-mcs2006

Peter Angelos

Northwestern University ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

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