Against 'Saving Lives': Equal Concern and Differential Impact. (1st July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chappell, Richard Yetter
• Is Part Of: Bioethics. Volume 30:Number 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2015-07-01
• Subjects: QALYs -- equal concern -- resource allocation -- discrimination -- double jeopardy -- bioethics; Bioethics -- Periodicals; 174.957
• DOI: 10.1111/bioe.12171
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9702

Abstract

Abstract: Bioethicists often present 'saving lives' as a goal distinct from, and competing with, that of extending lives by as much as possible. I argue that this usage of the term is misleading, and provides unwarranted rhetorical support for neglecting the magnitudes of the harms and benefits at stake in medical allocation decisions, often to the detriment of the young. Equal concern for all persons requires weighting equal interests equally, but not all individuals have an equal interest in 'life‐saving' treatment.