Medical ethics- who's more deserving?

Question

My friend and I disagree. In terms of funds and things, I think that all the focus should be on the elderly because most of them have contributed to society and therefore they deserve the treatment the most. They also have far more people (children, grandchildren, etc) to miss them if they die. My friend thinks the focus should be on children because they have not yet had a chance to contribute. I say that because of that they don't deserve funds being used to help them that could otherwise help the elderly. What do you think?

Answer 1

This can be a very controversial topic. I'm actually going into Health Services Administration and a lot of my classes are about similar ethics. You can look at it two very different ways. If funds go to children, they'll have a chance to use them and develop onto adulthood. Therefore, when they are elders, they were already given funds. If you give funds to elders, they already have an established family and financial issues. It all depends on the type of view. Ultimately, it would be fair for both children and elders to have equal rights since they both are deserving. In my opinion, elders have gone through life and were given many chances. Children are our future and even though I respect elders greatly, children do need a chance and if they aren't given that, they can't continue on. This topic is very interesting and many opinions come out of it.

Answer 2

That's a tough argument.  Both are deserving in that they are helpless and in need of care.  

Therefore, I feel you and your friend are BOTH wrong.  The funds should be split equally.  IMHO

Answer 3

Even though the elderly is important children are our future and with so many growing up in poverty and denied the chance.because of addiction, abuse etc they need more opportunities