Argumentative Essay On Liver Transplants

Giving heavy drinkers or alcoholics liver transplants has been a controversial topic in society for years now because it is hard to make a definite decision affecting so many lives. There is no known cure for alcoholic liver disease besides giving the patients a liver transplant, but with a low supply of liver donors, and a high supply of liver failures, not everyone on the waiting list lives long enough to receive a liver that is a match for their body. Some argue that due to the low supply and high demand of new livers, those with alcoholic liver disease should be denied liver transplants over those who need livers due to genetic, biological, or environmental reasons. The side in favor of denying heavy drinkers liver transplants argues that alcoholic liver disease is a self-caused disorder, but the opposing side in favor of allowing transplants to be given to alcoholics argues that alcoholism is a disease influenced by various factors, and some are predisposed to being alcoholics at early ages, and it is a consuming, nearly uncontrollable ailment. …show more content…
Some argue that the alcoholic could resume drinking following the surgery, which would possibly mean wasting a good liver, while others argue that saving a life is not a waste, and that a new liver is a new chance at life for alcoholics, so a transplant allows them to alter their lifestyle and have a better outlook on life. People in favor of allowing heavy drinkers to receive liver transplants also often argue that the ill should receive equal and fair treatment for illness, as those opposed believe that certain priorities should be given based on the illness and the patient’s