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You can only save one— who do you choose? - Doug MacKay

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TEDEd Animation

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You are the captain of an interstellar cargo transport headed to port when you receive two distress calls. The first is from a labor ship, whose passengers are running out of oxygen. The other from a luxury space cruiser which has lost a thruster, sending them careening into danger. With only enough time to save one ship, which should you choose? Doug MacKay explores this classic ethical dilemma.

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Which factors should we consider when deciding who is worse off? For example, if we must decide how to allocate a donated organ, should we just consider factors related to potential recipients’ health? Or, should we also consider other factors, such as whether they are socio-economically disadvantaged or members of a group that has been historically marginalized or oppressed?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Doug Mackay
  • Director Avi Ofer
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam

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