In immunology, we learned about MHC molecules and how they are inherited. Since the three classes of MHC molecules are found in a block, they are often inherited as a unit, a haplotype, which rarely crosses over. Therefore, there are four possible combinations of MHC combinations in a given mating, which gives a sibling one in four chance of matching another sibling.
Immediately I thought of "My Sister's Keeper", which I had read about online. I have neither seen the movie nor read the book. In the book, the couple has another girl after their first is born with leukemia. The sibling who is born to provide an organ to be transplanted is called a "savior sibling"(There IS a term for it!).
A savior sibling is selected to be genetically compatible. A couple may choose to terminate the pregnancy if the child is healthy but not a match for the sibling in need.
As in Jodi Picoult's novel, the sibling may not be happy about being a savior. Kant would argue that in this case, the savior sibling is being used as a means, and therefore this is immoral... but from a utilitarian point of view, a child is born and with minimal "harm" to the child herself, saves another's life. That's good, right?
Would I want to be a savior sibling? Would I want a savior sibling?
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