Medical/Ethical dilemma -- what would you do?

In China (and maybe other countries) it's apparently a common practice for family and friends of a patient to give extra cash to the surgeon to "ensure" a good procedure. So in light of this, I have two "what would you do" scenarios.

1. If it was your mother on the operating table, would you pay the cash?
2. If it was yourself on the table, would you want your family and friends to pay the cash?

There is a plethora of issues involved, for most of which exists no easy answer. When coming up with your answers to the questions, it might be helpful to ponder these points:

1. When is it justified to participate in systemic sin?
2. Is preservation of life more virtuous than a clean conscience?
3. Does financial resource play a role?
4. What are the eternal and spiritual ramifications of the decision you make?
5. What can we learn from biblical examples of people who didn't give in to systemic sin and pressure? What can we learn from those that did?