Punishing the wrong party
A. J. Burgess has spent much of his two years of life in hospitals. He was born without any kidneys and must receive daily dialysis treatments. He's grown enough to permit a kidney transplant and it turns out that his father is an ideal match. Seems like an easy path forward to a long, healthy life for the toddler.
But Emory University Hospital has refused to perform the transplant because his father, Anthony Dickerson violated his probation. According to the Huffington Post, Mr. Dickerson has been in and out of jail on "...misdemeanor theft charges and a first-degree forgery charge since 2011."
His most recent arrest, on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and possession of a firearm or knife during attempted felonies violated his probation. The police cooperated in getting him released on a low bond, in order for him to be available for the transplant.
But Emory says that he must first demonstrate "good behavior" for three or four months before they will reconsider doing the transplant. That reevaluation won't take place before January of next year. Will A.J. survive that long? Should his father's transgressions deny him a chance at life? Of course not.
This is wrong. Very wrong.
There are related issues. Should condemned prisoners receive organ transplants to prolong their lives is a topic that gets lots of discussion. In November of 2011 there was a presentation at the Southern Thoraic Surgical Association on the topic. The author is advancing an argument that prisoners on death row should be allowed to donate their organs after their death.
At the same time some people think that the condemned themselves do not deserve to receive donations of organs when they are going to be put to death anyway.
It is a highly contentious issue all around. But the bottom line is a 2 year old boy shouldn't be put at risk of dying because his father violated probation.
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But Emory University Hospital has refused to perform the transplant because his father, Anthony Dickerson violated his probation. According to the Huffington Post, Mr. Dickerson has been in and out of jail on "...misdemeanor theft charges and a first-degree forgery charge since 2011."
His most recent arrest, on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and possession of a firearm or knife during attempted felonies violated his probation. The police cooperated in getting him released on a low bond, in order for him to be available for the transplant.
But Emory says that he must first demonstrate "good behavior" for three or four months before they will reconsider doing the transplant. That reevaluation won't take place before January of next year. Will A.J. survive that long? Should his father's transgressions deny him a chance at life? Of course not.
This is wrong. Very wrong.
There are related issues. Should condemned prisoners receive organ transplants to prolong their lives is a topic that gets lots of discussion. In November of 2011 there was a presentation at the Southern Thoraic Surgical Association on the topic. The author is advancing an argument that prisoners on death row should be allowed to donate their organs after their death.
At the same time some people think that the condemned themselves do not deserve to receive donations of organs when they are going to be put to death anyway.
It is a highly contentious issue all around. But the bottom line is a 2 year old boy shouldn't be put at risk of dying because his father violated probation.
* * *
posted by me at 6:10 AM
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