Question

In the film extraordinary measures, what kind of moral guidance does the ethics of care provide?

Answer 1

The film Extraordinary Measures is based on a true story which follows the journey of a father who is determined to save his young children’s lives. John and Aileen Crowley have three kids, two of which who have a rare genetic disease called pompe disease. Pompe disease is a rare inherited disorder in which the glycogen in the body is not broken down, and thus the glycogen builds up within the body’s cells. This can cause muscular dystrophy and eventually lead to enlarged organs. The children born with this disease often times live a very short life of about ten years and die because their organs can no longer function with this glycogen build up.In the beginning of the movie, it appeared to relate with the subject of the patient-professional relationship that was discussed in an earlier lecture during this course. When the Crowley’s had a health scare with their daughter Megan, it seemed as if they didn’t have a good relationship with the doctor. I understand that the doctor was trying to be professional and make sure not to give the family a false hope, but I believe that there could have been a different way to go about telling a family that their daughters chances of survival were slim. The doctor had used the phrase “think of [Megans passing away] as a blessing.” Personally, I feel as if using that phrase came off as a little insensitive. There is no easy thanks to tell parents that their child’s chances of surviving were low. Also with the case of pompe disease, the family must got to visit various doctors all the time, so I’m unsure if they need enough time to possess a good relationship with the various doctors that they visit. Even so, when dealing with a disease as serious as pompe, I do believe that it would benefit the family to have a doctor that they trusted and had a good relationship with.Another topic that was discussed during this course was death and dying. When faced with death, many of us often address religion as how to cope. Though death was heavily touched during this film, religion was only mentioned once or twice. The part that stood out to me in the film regarding religion was when Megan was in the hospital when her respiratory system was starting to fail. John had mentioned later within the film that when she was on her death bed, he has prayed to God that if it had been her time, that she would die fast and peacefully. While Megan herself didn't pray, her father had turned to religion as a coping mechanism. When Megan didn't die, John used this as inspiration and a symbol from God that he needed to be the one to assist save his daughter. This just shows one of the many ways that people can turn to religion to make themselves feel better.Personally, I think the thing about the movie that related most to this course is the ethics that are involved in this movie. It seems as a huge dilemma in this movie was between John and the scientists differing points of view. John was very hooked in to finding a treatment for pompe disease because he was closely linked to the disease through his children who were suffering from it. He was desperate to save his children’s lives. In the movie, it seem that his desperation got the simplest of him and he would have done anything to save lots of his children like stealing the enzyme from the lab. Though he didn’t find yourself stealing the enzyme, he was willing to try to to anything to assist his children. I know that if i used to be a parent, i might probably do anything myself to assist my children live longer. Though the love he had for his children was strong, that also doesn’t make what he was close to do right.The film Extraordinary Measures touched many of the topics that were mentioned during this course so far . It showed examples on how it's vital to possess a medical team that you simply have an honest relationship with and trust. In hard times, such as having a close call with losing a child, I believe that it is extremely important to have a good support system. In that support system, I think that it’s also important to be able to have a doctor that you trust fully. You want to know that your child or loved one is not only in the hands of someone that knows what they are doing, but someone who cares about them as a patient. It showed that many families, if not the patients themselves, turn to religion as a coping mechanism during hard times. I believe that it's very therapeutic to show to religion as a coping mechanism in adversity . Like in Johns case, he used religion as an idea and push into trying to find a cure for his children. Personally, i'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. This way of thinking can be hard if something terrible happens, but in the end I do think it helps with looking at the silver lining. The film also showed that it may be hard to be passionate about something but also to follow the rules and not let your emotions get in the way of the purpose of the study. Passion may be a excellent motivator for several things and other people . It can assist you get through the times that you simply feel you're too tired to try to to something. It can assist you erupt the bad days when it feels as nothing goes your way. It’s an incredible motivator if you employ it the right way.You need to form sure that your passion doesn’t cloud your judgement and obtain within the way of ethical solutions.Overall, i feel the movie showed the importance of teamwork within the medical field

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