LOMA, ABIGAIL JOY C.

BSACC 2-YA-1
ETHICS

ACTIVITY: Case Study #1.1

1. What is the ethical problem in the case?

- Due to Baby Theresa's anencephaly, her parents believed that their child's organs could
potentially save the lives of many other children in need. Unfortunately, Florida law
prohibited organ donation unless the donor had been declared legally deceased.
Regrettably, by the time Baby Theresa passed away, her organs had deteriorated
significantly, rendering them unsuitable for transplantation.
2. What are the road blocks in making a good decision in the case?
- While Baby Theresa's parents undoubtedly had good intentions in mind, there were
several compelling reasons why their wish couldn't be fulfilled. Firstly, as previously
mentioned, Florida law explicitly prohibited such actions, preventing organ donation
from a living individual. Moreover, even if the legal barriers were overcome, the practical
feasibility of transplantation became an insurmountable challenge. By the time Baby
Theresa had passed away, her organs had deteriorated to such an extent that they had
become unsuitable for transplantation due to the damage incurred. This combination of
legal and physiological factors ultimately made the organ donation and transplantation
scenario unattainable.