interesting article on the topic here
http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/03/science/doctor-s-world-a-question-of-ethics-should-alcoholics-get-transplanted-livers.html

i'm of the opinion that self destructive decisions have consequences and you should be considered very low priority for a new liver if you destroy the one you had already with excessive drinking

where do our resident pardians stand on the matter?

As long as we are in a shortage of organs, then it's a no.

Unfortunately we have to have a utilitarian perspective in times of shortages.



If we had excess livers then yes.

do they deserve one? no

should they get one if everything involved leads them to one? depends on the individual circumstance

Alcoholism is often a symptom of mental illness. Is it fair to blame those afflicted for seeking solace in the easiest available escape? Especially in a country where being poor and mentally ill means you are unlikely to receive quality treatment?

It's not that simple though, there's a scarcity of livers and the person who is most likely to live a fulfilling life with the liver is the one who should get it.

That's ultimately is what will lead to the most benefit which is what option should be taken.

a mental illness would be more reason not to waste scarce resources on an attempt at rehabilitating what may already be a lost cause
it isn't necessarily about fairness but a question of what good a liver would do for such a person compared to the good it would do for someone more suited to be a productive member of society

fully agreed, self destructive people shouldnt get to live at the cost of someone else

why is that even a debate

Wow. So now we're judging people as having less right to live because they're mentally ill?

That's fucked dude.

what's wrong with choosing who to help based on their value to society?

as an example if a brain surgeon and a gender studies major both needed heart transplants, would you not agree that the brain surgeon ought to get priority?

Someone who has actively drinking will not get a liver, period

Most transplant surgeon require 5-10 years of sobriety which I think is reasonable

Given that the majority of liver transplants occur due to alcoholic disease, fatty liver disease, hepatic c...I think the notion in question is unreasonable.

Is drinking worse than a lifestyle of fattty foods or previous IV drugs?