Cullen donates a kidney ????

I did not think criminals were allowed to donate or be part of donation of organs for many ethical reasons .

this could really open a pandoras box ---- opionions ?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/19/killer.nurse.ap/index.html

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry, but what ethical reasons are we talking about?

[SilentfadesRPA]

Some of the issues in regard to the ethics I think or could be are

can an inmate truly give informed consent

can the state not allow consent

would donation be looked upon later as a means of a lesser incarceration

can the state rescind care after surgery

is the state obligated to follow the inmates wishes ie -- he had refused to go to the final meeting with the family unless he was allowed to donate -- so donation was used as a bargaining chip !

will all the families know that transplant was from an inmate -- this happened to be for a family friend --

if person given life sentances like him then why not allow inmates who have death penalty to donate organs

is the state obligated to pay for care in a situation like this ?

I am not saying I agree or dont agree and I sure do not know what is right or wrong ...but I think there are many potential ethical issues from a case like this. I have never heard of an inmate doing life being allowed to donate organs have others ?

Marc

ps Roy the best of luck on NCLEX you will do great

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Thanks.

I agree that there are issues - I was merely prompting dialogue :)

Off the top of my head, I can't remember inmates donating organs. Maybe I'll dig around tomorrow...

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Interesting, silentfades! Inmates of correctional institutions are not permitted to serve as blood donors. The FDA cites studies that suggest that inmates are more likely to engage in behavior that makes them high-risk for bloodborne pathogens.

[emllpn2006]

Inmates are humans like all of us who made bad decisions in their lives. I know not all are remorsefull for what they have done may of them are. If a inmate is willing to donate a organ that could save some one elses life I dont see a reason why they should not be allowed to as long as they pass all the same strict predonation tests that all others have to pass and they are not using the donation as a type of barganing tool to shorter sentences.

[PANurseRN1]

Eh, I wouldn't put a serial killer in the category of someone who "made some bad decisions." Yikes!

[banditrn]

Inmates are humans like all of us who made bad decisions in their lives. I know not all are remorsefull for what they have done may of them are. If a inmate is willing to donate a organ that could save some one elses life I dont see a reason why they should not be allowed to as long as they pass all the same strict predonation tests that all others have to pass and they are not using the donation as a type of barganing tool to shorter sentences.

That makes sense to me.

[Jolie, BSN]

It sounds like this involved a patient/family with whom Cullen was aquainted, so they know who the donor is, and can make an informed decision regarding accepting the transplant.