In a five paragraph essay, apply ONE ethical theory to decide the moral course of action in the medical case of the premature twins studied in class. Apply the ethical theory to support your arguments. Not using the ethical theory results in an automatic zero. Using more than one ethical theory results in an automatic zero. Before June 20,
2021, parents of premature twins were faced with a challenging medical decision regarding the allocation of limited resources within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The twins were born at 24 weeks gestation, and due to their high likelihood of complications and potential long-term disability, medical professionals advised the parents that treating both twins would be extremely resource-intensive. The parents approached the hospital’s ethics committee for guidance on the moral course of action in this complex situation. In this essay, I will apply the ethical theory of Utilitarianism to determine the best course of action.
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that evaluates actions based on their consequences and seeks to maximize overall happiness or utility. According to this theory, the morally right action is the one that produces the greatest net happiness for the greatest number of people. In the case of the premature twins, Utilitarianism can help assess the consequences of different courses of action and guide the decision-making process.
The first option that could be considered is providing intensive care to both twins. This would mean allocating a significant amount of limited resources to treat both infants. While saving both children might seem like the ideal outcome from an emotional standpoint, it is crucial to assess the consequences of this choice in terms of overall happiness. In this case, the resources allocated to the twins would be taken away from other patients in need, potentially resulting in a larger number of deaths or severe health complications among other newborns in the NICU. Therefore, from a Utilitarian perspective, choosing this option could lead to a decrease in overall happiness and would not be the morally optimal course of action.
Alternatively, the second option would be to prioritize resource allocation and provide intensive care to only one of the twins. This choice would ensure that one child receives the full attention and resources necessary for their treatment, increasing their chances of survival and potentially leading to improved long-term outcomes. Moreover, by not allocating resources to the second twin, those resources could be reallocated to other patients, increasing the overall number of lives saved or improved. From a Utilitarian perspective, this option would result in greater overall happiness since more lives would be saved or improved. Therefore, this option would be the morally optimal course of action according to Utilitarianism.
However, it is important to address potential objections to this decision. Some may argue that choosing to allocate resources to only one twin is unfair and does not respect the equal value of all human lives. From a Utilitarian perspective, though, the focus is not on equality but rather on maximizing overall happiness. By prioritizing resource allocation, the decision seeks to achieve the greatest net happiness for the greatest number of people, which could result in saving more overall lives. In this case, it would be morally justifiable to allocate resources in a way that leads to the best overall outcome, even if it means treating one twin over the other.
Furthermore, it is crucial to consider the potential long-term consequences of allocating intensive care to both twins. Premature infants who survive may face significant health challenges, including physical and cognitive disabilities. By focusing resources on one twin, medical professionals can provide more specialized care, ensuring the best possible outcome for that individual. Additionally, by preventing the allocation of limited resources to a potentially unsuccessful outcome for the second twin, more resources can be directed towards improving the overall quality of care for all the patients in the NICU. This could lead to better long-term outcomes for a larger number of infants, again supporting the Utilitarian principle of maximizing overall happiness.
In conclusion, by applying the ethical theory of Utilitarianism to the case of the premature twins, the morally optimal course of action would be to prioritize resource allocation and provide intensive care to only one of the twins. This decision leads to a greater overall happiness by potentially saving more lives and improving long-term outcomes for a larger number of infants. Although objections of fairness and equal value of life can be raised, Utilitarianism prioritizes maximizing overall happiness rather than strict equality. Ultimately, Utilitarianism provides a comprehensive framework that guides the moral decision-making process by considering the consequences of actions and aiming for the greatest net happiness.