Among the most dramatic achievements in modern medicine is the ability to replace body parts. Kidneys, hearts, livers can all be transplanted from one human to another. Artificial joints, bones, or heart valves can substitute for the real thing. These procedures have been used to promote the quality of life and extend the lives of the recipients.

Such remarkable advances are providing many new treatment choices. But they are also creating a number of challenges: Who is entitled to receive human organs when the supply is so limited — the youngest, the sickest, the nearest, the wealthiest? These procedures can be extremely expensive. How do we balance the costs against other urgent medical needs? And how do we decide?

Research currently underway — exploring the use of animal organs or of organs derived from stem cells — is raising still more challenges: Are these acceptable sources of organs? Are there limits to what should be done to extend an individual life? Is medicine changing what it means to be human?

This Choices and Challenges forum examined the ethical, social, and policy concerns associated with organ transplantation — now and in the future. Now, so can you.

• By clicking on Moderator and Panelists, you will be introduced to the professionals and scholars who discussed this very important topic at Virginia Tech in November 2000.
  
  
• Video Excerpts will link you to selections from the Main Session. View a series of questions posed by the moderator and audience members at the forum — and the reponses of the panelists.
  
  
• Want to participate in a discussion with other people who have viewed the materials and are energetically thinking about the issues of organ donation and body part replacement? Click on Discussion Topics to link to a public bulletin board and additional resources on the topic, such as a Reading List and Related Websites.
  
  
• News will provide updated information about this topic.
  
  
• Materials and information developed for:
  
  
  • Humanities, Science & Technology Classrooms
  • Virginia Tech Alumni
  • Continuing Medical Education Credits
  • Your K-12 Classroom
    
    

  Click on these links or use the tabs at the top of this webpage to navigate our site.

** Six Million Dollar Body Module Activities for HST classrooms **

Transcripts of all video segments are available.

Enjoy!

Choices and Challenges Project
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Virgina Tech, Mail Code: 0227
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Phone: 540 231-6476 Fax: 540 231-7013
Email: choices@vt.edu