Final answer:
The ethical problem faced by a health care team in deciding organ allocation is primarily associated with the principle of justice, which involves fairness in the distribution of resources. Beneficence and autonomy are also ethical principles relevant in healthcare, but in the context of organ allocation, justice is the central issue in ensuring equitable treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a health care team is deciding which client will receive a donor organ, they are grappling with the ethical problem associated with justice. The principle of justice in medical ethics typically refers to fairness in the distribution of resources and benefits, which in this case is the allocation of a scarce resource: a donor organ. Ensuring that all patients have fair access to transplants and that decisions are not influenced by bias or discrimination is a complex challenge, reflecting deeper societal issues regarding equality and fairness.
The ethical principle of beneficence could also be considered in this context, as this principle focuses on actions that benefit others. However, beneficence alone is not the central concern when organ allocation decisions are made. The ethical principle of autonomy is also important in medical ethics, as it asserts that patients should have the right to make informed decisions about their own care. But in the context of organ allocation, individual autonomy is not the primary issue—it is the collective allocation of resources that must be managed equitably, making justice the most pertinent ethical principle in this case.
Professional health care ethics also dictate that any obtained consent, such as organ donation, must adhere to rigorous standards to ensure it is informed and voluntary, respecting the informed consent of donors or their families. This is essential to maintain the ethical integrity of the organ transplantation process.