ETHICAL Q: [2-part] Say you're the E.R. doctor in a TRIAGE situation...??

From working in a hospital, I can tell you that this is a question of standard medical procedure, not ethics. The one that is almost dying will more than likely get written off, while the efforts are spent on the other patient that has the better odds of survival.

Now, part 2: again, it comes down to standard medical doctrine: it would depend (since you didn't specify) on which patient has the better odds of survival.

In my personal opinion, I would *want* to save my sibling, as I could always have more children.

Situ 1 - I would choose to assist the one is has the better chance of living. Why? Simple math - why allow two people to die when one can die and the other can survive? (See, you said SAVE the one with the chance, but only HELP the one who is near death...so chances are that person may not end up saved!)

Situ 2 - would never happen. When family is brought to a hospital, the doctor is removed so as to prevent any foul ups from happening due to shock, etc... If forced to make the choice I would choose my child. Why? because this is where my genes are being passed on - not via my sister or brother.

why are you a) giving test questions? b) asking a naiive question that we doctors can't answer? you cannot know for certainty who has a chance of living vs. almost dying. you use your triage evaluative skills and tend to the one who needs the most immediate attention. if a person is unable to breathe, that's your first choice, as is the cardiac person. if you have to chose between the two, you have to make a quick call based on observational experience which has to deal with best chances.

it's not stupid. These are good questions!

If they're were not related then I would save the person who has a chance at living. But if one of them was my child, I would save my child. My kids are priority over everyone in the world, no matter what!

I get help in both cases.

Next question

I get help...hahaha

Ok, seriously, it doesn't matter what i say now, because what I do will probably be different.

Do your own homework.

No one's going to fall for this one.

This is stupid.