Question

Instructions: Aim to include an introductory paragraph with a thesis statement, a summary of the relevant articles, at least two paragraphs answering the questions, and a conclusion paragraph. A thesis statement is a position on the question with supporting reasons. A thesis statement probably includes a “because clause” (e.g. “I argue x because y and z”). Next come one to two paragraphs explaining the background texts necessary to support your thesis. Then, you should include two to three paragraphs supporting your thesis (such as one paragraph on each supporting reason you give). You also may want to critique what you consider the strongest opposing argument as a way of supporting your position. Last, you should end with a concluding paragraph that gives the “so what?” analysis of your topic. In all, you should have about five to seven paragraphs for your essay. Knowledge of the authors’ names is not required but knowledge of their ideas is.

Question:

Write an essay in which you either support or criticize as persuasively as possible the claim that everyone needing a liver or heart transplant should be entitled to receive it, regardless of either their ability to pay for the surgery and/or the aftercare or their blameworthiness as, for example, alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.

Answer 1

The field of organ replacement now epitomizes a very different and powerful tendency in the American health care system and in the value and belief system of our society's culture: our pervasive reluctance to accept the limits to the biological and human condition imposed by the aging process and our ultimate mortality.

For decades, patients with liver disease related to alcohol use have been told they must be sober for six months before they can get a liver transplant. Many die before that six-month wait period is up.

Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, which is characterized by severe scarring due to the heavy use of alcohol, is the major cause of end-stage liver disease . For those afflicted with cirrhosis, a liver transplant often offers the only possibility for survival. Unfortunately, the demand for liver transplants for both alcoholic cirrhosis and other conditions exceeds the supply.

Conclusion:

Everyone should get a liver or heart transplant where it entitled to receive it, regardless of either their ability to pay for the surgery and/or the aftercare or their blameworthiness because human life is not greater than any money, but the patient should be eligible for that, but not in the case of alchohol patients.