The ethics of elective (nontherapeutic) ventilation

Elective ventilation (EV) is ventilation applied not in the interest of Patients, but in order to secure transplantable organs. If carries with if a small risk that Patients who would otherwise have died will survive an a Persistent vegetative state. Is EV ever justifiable We argue: (I) The only! thing which can justify exposing patients to risk not taken for their benefit is their consent, and we cannot rely on implied consent or third party consent in the case of EV Thus, absent explicit consent of patients , EII is not justifiable (2) It is not clear that explicit consent should be sought, or where it is offered honoured, given the potential EV has for deterring organ donors and causing stress to staff and families.