Truth or Consequences Revisited: Policymaking in Modern Organ Transplant.

backgroundOften in policymaking in medicine, there is a balance to strike between pursuing principles that defend vulnerable stakeholders with passion and coherence and backing positions that are sellable to the public.

methodsI argue that when these two ambitions are at odds, transplant ethicists should pursue a pragmatism in policymaking that maximizes the likelihood of their being invited into, mattering, and remaining in the proverbial room of deliberation. As Dan Brock argued upon recalling his time serving on the President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine from 1981 to 1982, achieving relevance as a philosopher is something that may require concessions in "truth-telling." I invoke examples of this pragmatism, looking at different attitudes one may adopt in prioritizing pediatric patients for organ allocation and, using Brock as a guide, draw an analogy to a controversial issue the OPTN Ethics Committee recently addressed pertaining to the procurement of deceased organs.

resultsThis examination of differing approaches to pediatric transplant allocation reveals a preference one should adopt for favoring policies addressing the particular needs of pediatric recipients without automatically placing such recipients at the top of waitlists.

conclusionsLike many proposals considered in medicine based on sound, principle-based ethical analyses, transplant policies that are balanced and pursue a position of strong advocacy tempered by pragmatism and consideration of a diversity of perspectives are the likeliest to be successful, just as their advocates are the likeliest to be included in the process of deliberation.