Issue Date: April 26, 2009
How far would you go to care for a loved one?
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Although it's fiction, the ethical issues in this novel are real.
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Recent news stories about funding for stem cell research and in vitro fertilization leading to octuplets are just two examples of how medical achievements can spark ethical debates. John Elefteriades, M.D., the chief of cardiac surgery at Yale University, explores one such issue in a new novel, "Transplant." The story unfolds around a wealthy businessman whose dying son needs a heart transplant. If money were no object, where would you draw the line in acquiring lifesaving medical treatment for a loved one?
Although "Transplant" is a fictitious medical mystery, the ethical dilemmas it poses are real. Elefteriades' background gives him a unique perspective to comment on the sometimes slippery slope we find ourselves on when we combine medical science, money and love for a family member.
Modern medicine has produced incredible advances in surgery, medications and diagnostic tools. However, some advances bring with them ethical challenges. As a society, we can have difficulty reconciling our desire to expand our knowledge with traditional sensibilities. For that reason, "Transplant" certainly will make you think.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and CEO of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
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