Who should MDs let die in a pandemic? Report offers answers!

United States
May 5, 2008 6:58am CST
Doctors know some patients needing lifesaving care won't get it in a flu pandemic or other disaster. The gut-wrenching dilemma will be deciding who to let die. Now, an influential group of physicians has drafted a grimly specific list of recommendations for which patients wouldn't be treated. They include the very elderly, seriously hurt trauma victims, severely burned patients and those with severe dementia. What are your thoughts on this list? Is the whole thing a good idea or not? How would you handle it? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080505/ap_on_he_me/pandemic_rationing_care
3 responses
Jewels
@Tetchie (2932)
• Australia
6 May 08
You can really see how it would end up being a minefield. I agree that such a list is necessary, in any case it puts an essence of being prepared when such a pandemic occurs again. The legal minefield would be a problem, you will never appease everyone, fairness is an emotional issue.
freak369
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
5 May 08
Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, I'm not saying it is right but is it better to allow a few to die to save hundreds? Morals do come into play with it but at the same time you have to think about the bigger picture.
cher913
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
5 May 08
well i did hear about this list during the morning news today and for some reason it doesnt surprise me. back in 1918, the medicals werent in any position to deal with the pandemic and the same will be now if it hits the world. but in saying that, the 1918 pandemic seemed to hit the middle aged, healthy people, so if that were the case again, the 'list' wouldnt have to be followed.