Have you ever wondered who is in charge of your body? It might seem like a simple question. But it can become very complex.
For example, the story of the "Six Million Dollar Man." (You only have to watch the first two minutes in order to catch the concept; sorry if you're stuck with a commercial at the beginning.)
Now, did you notice that line of dialogue: "We have the technology; we can rebuild him." All very well and true.
BUT, does Steve Austin want to be rebuilt that way?
Aye, there's the rub.
After all, it's his body; shouldn't Steve have some input into the discussion of, and decision about, what happens to him? Indeed, shouldn't we all have some control over what happens to our bodies?
Welcome to the world of medical ethics.
Normally, I would have put this on my blog The Ethical Pilgrimage. But I consciously shut that one dow a while ago. That means that ethical issues that Bear Noting will appear here.
I must be getting healthier; I can actually think about these issues again. I take that to be a good sign.
By the way, Steve Austin's choice is a matter which falls within the ethical category of "Autonomy." I'll have more about that in the future (soon, I hope).
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Friday 20 September 2013
31 comments:
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Back in the 6 M. $ man, no one thought of the autonomy issues. Steve was a military man and the government basically owned him.
ReplyDeleteThat's all very true, Susan. But, oh my, the world has changed!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs.
Has it, really?
DeleteYes it has, fishducky, in terms of what one could call "patient's trghts." Maybe not in the military, but in terms of how patient in health care should be treated.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs.
Er, um, "patients' rights."
DeleteOh looks like you are back :) B
ReplyDeleteI am here! (I was never gone; I was just busy for a bit.)
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs.
Bear
ReplyDeleteSo far my world is still pretty much the same but we all just get older. Hours keep ticking away and I do think a change is coming. I know very little about medical.
Well, maybe you need Bear's crash course on Medical ethics. Stay tuned; I'll give you a few guidelines for meandering your way through the health care system.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
This is a most important issue, especially for the senior population. How much life do we need? How much comfort do we need? Who decides?
ReplyDeleteThat is all true, Rosaria. And in the end, we decide. Each of us. Or we should. Doctors lay open a course of action. But you have every right to ask questions and look for options — even getting a second opinion. What happens to your body is your decision. (There are some complicating factors; I'll get to those anon.)
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs.
I think the military continues to do whatever they want to people. We don't have as much autonomy as we think we have.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
That may be true of the military, but outside the military it is very much the patient's choice that rules the decision-making.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I wish that were always true.
DeleteIt is, Janie. Except sometimes doctors want to take over and decide for the patient what he or she will get by way of treatment. The process is called paternalism; it is the opposite of autonomy.
DeleteBlessings and Bar hugs!
Maybe it's an American thing that the patient's wishes are often ignored.
DeleteThe million dollar man sure looks good. I like it when they can regenerate arms and legs, grow them back instead of putting metal and stuff. Most stuff they can regrow already.
ReplyDeletere attaching is tricky though lol
I am sure they have a cancer cure as well. They just don't want to tell you. You have to know that the immune system has soldiers to fight for the system So the more fighters you have the less disease can survive. So the answer lies in the immune system.
Yes, indeed, Bear, we should!
ReplyDeleteIt's almost happy hour and I'm gonna drink for your health.
Hugs!
It's so nice to see the Bear come back to himself... and start posting this kind of ethical stuff. I'm off to watch the video. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood to know you are feeling healthy!
ReplyDeleteTake good care of yourself as nobody else will.
Joy to you, always!
I thoroughly intend to take care of myself. And working on medical ethics is one of the ways I keep my mind working, when I'm well.
DeleteThanks for the kind thoughts.
Blessing and Bear hugs!
I look forward to your opinion regarding assisted suicide and euthanasia. My state of Oregon was the first (and one of only three states) to make it legal for a doctor to prescribe drugs for the express purpose of killing oneself
ReplyDeleteIm very interested in reading your opinion on medical ethics; i know that having a rare disease lets you know exactly where the medical community stands...Hope you are feeling much much better these days!
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine a world where the patient does not maintain full "rights" to health decisions concerning his/her own body. I have been hearing a lot of conflicting opinions about this on various news channels as talking heads discuss the new health care plan.
ReplyDeleteI used to think that exact same thing when I watched that show. I wondered what if he woke up and didn't want any of the things they had done to him.
ReplyDeleteI made sure my heath care was in my hands by taking out a medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney and a living will. All specifying what my wishes were if something happens to me. I made sure family members have a copy, all my doctors have a copy, my hospital has a copy and I carry a copy in my purse...just in case. When you have paperwork that goes against what your family wants...my paper work states that I want mo extraordinary measures taken to save my life were something to happen to me..., you have to take these types of steps to ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Dark Thoughts Blog
Happy you are back and feeling well ;o) Take Care ;o) Many blessings ;o)
ReplyDeleteOh Bear... I'm so looking forward to your future entries. As someone with a rare blood disorder for the past 27 years I have fallen prey to paternalism... or I should say attempts at paternalism...on more than one occasion...and find as I reach end stage that now is more dictated by insurance than physician...I'm afraid you may have hit a raw nerve... I promise to keep it in check.
ReplyDeleteon another note is so nice to see you doing so well.
Thanks, Vanessa. Glad you found the post interesting.
ReplyDeleteI don't know so much that I am Bi-Polar though it has been suggested that I could be pi-polar II or low. I am not so depressed since being put on Synthyroid for my thyroid. Odd but true. Now I am left with anciety and sadness. Thanks for your comment. (aka-KareBear.)
ReplyDeleteWith my difficult to control type 1 diabetes, I am scared of ending up in a hospital where no one understands my insulin requirements and over dose me by accident. I have heard of nurses in the hallways, gossiping, while a patient is going into insulin shock under their care. So, I try my best to stay out of them. Great post, glad you are alive and kicking, dear Bear.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding of this post is something similar to euthansia.
ReplyDeleteMost of us keep bitching about ethics and morality and all, but it is good to have someone write about it. Some food for thought!