Judicial Interference.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/12/girl-dying-cystic-fibrosis-to-receive-lung-transplant-today/

Simply put this is a travesty. The judicial system has no place determining organ transplant policy within the medical sector. The previous policy of offering viable organs to recipients above the age of twelve is in place for a reason. Patients older than twelve years of age have a far greater chance of a successful transplant due to an increased compatibility with both pediatric and adult organs. While I understand the plight of this child's family the court's interference in this matter is inappropriate and atrocious. If the patient had not garnered so much media attention she would not have been granted a temporary order placing her on the adult transplant list. The precedent set forth is that if you can obtain a significant amount of public notoriety the courts will be be coerced via public opinion to come to the rescue. The medical sector has donor systems in place for a reason, trust the medical professionals to due their job, the appropriate triage ensuring the most amount of good is done for the most amount of patients.

Furthermore, as harsh as it may sound, the patient's parents are liable for her condition. Cystic Fibrosis can be screened for prior to conception, or birth via genetic testing. While the pictures of this patient have resulted in widespread sympathy and public support the harsh reality is that the transplant may not be successful, and if it is, the patient's prognosis remains bleak. With a life expectancy of 37.4 years in the United States the patient will most likely remain on anti-biotic medication permanently, and might require a pancreas and/or liver transplant.

I'm not arguing that this patient should not receive the transplant, I'm arguing that she, like the thousands of children across the nation should wait her turn. "But if it was your child, you wouldn't be saying this!" Of course I wouldn't. "But what if she is the next Rosalind Franklin or Jane Austen?" What if the patient above the age of twelve who she jumped on the list is the next Stephen Hawking or George Orwell? Due to a judge being unable to face the family, and tell them that their daughter is going to die because of the fundamental principles of triage, an individual with a far greater chance of survival will die.