Is it ethically exceptable for a doctor to amputate an other wise healthy limb?

When apotemnophilia is being viewed as a neurological disorder due to right parietal lobe damage(s) I do not think that it is necessarily wrong to amputate an otherwise healthy limb. I do however find it to be an extreme solution and hope that other measures are being taken before amputation is performed.  It seems very important that doctors, surgeons and other professionals get to the bottom of cognitive and behavioral issues first.  If and when all other therapies and medications have been exhausted, then amputation may be the next step of therapy and wellness for someone.  Another problem to consider is that there is nothing to say for sure that a specific individual will feel relief and otherwise be happy.  But studies have shown this to be the case.

            It would seem easy for someone who is not suffering with this condition to view it as morally and ethically wrong for a surgeon to remove an otherwise healthy individual’s limb.  Again this is another example where the individual needs to make a decision on what’s going to be best for them.

Apotemnophilia

Apotemnophilia is a neurological disorder that affects the right parietal lobe in people who are sane and rational, yet express a strong desire to have a healthy limb or limbs amputated.  This disorder can cause a person to feel discontented with their body and seek out ways to damage an otherwise healthy limb and have it removed.  Perhaps, the discontentment of one’s body caused apotemnophilia who knows for sure.

            Some who suffer with sexual dysfunctions like sexual arousal or attainment of orgasm believe that removal of a limb is the only way to obtain satisfaction or happiness.  However, a child who feels unloved or more so was unloved by parents or caregivers throughout life could also develop this disorder and desire to have a limb amputated.  Doing so for them would gain them more attention, more love and sympathy from parents or others.

            It’s possible for someone who is homosexual or heterosexual to be an apotemnophiliac. Studies show that apotemnophilia is frequently connected to sexual desire however through reading apotemnophilia has a lot to do with self-identity and happiness with one’s own self.

Right or wrong

Why does someone always have to be right or wrong?  It seems to me that this is the basis for every argument and every disagreement today.  As a society and beyond we are naturally and unnaturally always trying to find the answer to something.  To prove something true or to prove that something is false.  Why?  Often times it seems to be at the cost of someone else’s beliefs, integrity, morals etc.  I feel that one should believe in whatever they want to as long as it is not directing causing harm or danger to someone else.  What about simply respecting an individual as they are?  Quite frankly I’m tired of the constant debate.  You’re wrong and I’m right.  I don’t feel that any one person is wrong for the religion they choose, the things they believe in, their sexual preference etc. just because it differs from mine.  “To disagree or to agree, it will never actually matter or determine anything for certain”..jlr

Q&A 3 Question 2 Should abortions be illegal?

My posts this week are a matter of personal opinion rather then an opinion based on society or population as a whole.  While I agree that many abortions could have been prevented using other precautions and or methods.  I don't necessarily feel they should be illegal or that there should be a law in place preventing a women from having one because someone else has decided so.  Every case and circumstance is going to be unique to that individual and should be left up to that person to decide what's right for their life.

Q&A 3 Question 1 Is abortion morally wrong?

As I have come to my own conclusions and opinions regarding abortion, I do not feel like a decision of 100% certainty will ever be completely decided between all.  There are so many factors and elements to be considered.  So many that given the circumstance my own opinion may even change.  Topics like this are difficult because what one feels is morally wrong, someone else may not.  How can one ever say that she's wrong and he's right and vice versa.  So whether something is right or wrong in ones own eyes that individual has the right to decide.

A Scarlet letter

 I found this article in the Berkshire eagle this morning.  The content ties in with some of the things that we have been talking about in class.  The end quote got me "The spirit of the law was not to violate anyone's civil rights. It's just a preventative." 


BOSTON (AP) -- A Massachusetts lawmaker who proposed a bill to have the letter "G" affixed to the driver’s licenses of suspected gang members said Tuesday he was pulling back on the proposal, which critics decried as a "scarlet letter" measure that raises legal and constitutional issues.
"The bill will not go forward in its current state. It will be modified if it even goes forward at all," said Rep. Paul McMurty, D-Dedham.
The measure, heard earlier this week by the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, would create a scoring system for police departments and other law enforcement agencies to determine whether a person should be classified as a gang member. Those with score of 10 points or higher would be required to put a sticker with the letter "G" on their driver’s licenses.
McMurtry said the original intention of his bill was to revoke the driver’s licenses of gang members so they would not be able to drive from one location to another to commit crimes.
"The spirit of the law was not to violate anyone’s civil rights. It’s just a preventative," he said.

Question 2: Does the medical community have an obligation to save a life at all costs?

Question 2:

Does the medical community have an obligation to save a life at all costs necessary?

While reading the text we were provided with many scenarios regarding life and death, passive and active euthanasia.  One example really struck a chord with me.  A baby is born with Down’s syndrome and is otherwise healthy.  The text explains that some may be born with congenital defects such as intestinal obstructions but with surgery will live.  The text further explains that doctors and parents can choose not to operate, and let the infant die.  I thought that medical professional’s take an oath to save lives?  So I’m finding it difficult to process how doctors and parents have the option of whether to operate on a potentially healthy infant or let the infant die.  Letting the child die is a direct act in this cause.  When they decide to let the infant die they are just sitting back while the infant is suffering with pain from infection(s) and dehydration and is literally dying a preventable death.  An infant is defenseless and helpless is almost every situation.  It becomes the responsibility of this oath to save the infant’s life.  If in the end if the parent decides they do not want to take on the care of a child with Down’s well then adoption is always an option.   

Question 1: Should a person have the right to choose euthanasia?

Question: 1

Should a person have the right to choose euthanasia?

The book explains how “it is permissible, at least in some cases, to withhold treatment and allow a patient to die, but it is never permissible to take any direct action designed to kill the patient.” (pg. 46)  But to withhold treatment and allow someone to die to me is kind of the same as taking a direct action.  In the end the outcome is likely to be the same and in this instance only we’re assuming that the patient requested to die or for treatments to be withheld.

When it comes to life and death there really isn’t a set date.  Everything we do and go through comes in time.  Sure a doctor can deem someone terminally ill and give them an expected date to live through but there is nothing set in stone.  More times than not if someone is termed terminally ill or placed on hospice care there’s a good chance that this patient will be passing on sooner rather than later.  So really why should they have to suffer?  Why are we prolonging the inevitable?   In this instance the patient should have a right to decide.  When a patient is in hospice care often times doctor’s etc will administer a drug called morphine every hour or so to keep the patient comfortable and reduce pain and suffering.  At this point all other treatments for potential survival have been stopped and it’s almost like a waiting game.  If we lethally inject prisons for the wrongs that they have committed and sufferings they have caused on others, then someone suffering and terminally ill should be able to decide what they want.

Introduction

Hey hey my name is Jessica Roucoulet.  I was born and raised in the fab city of Pittsfield, MA.  Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to live in another part of the country.  Florida.  I spent some of the best times of my life there and plan to spend some more time there God willing.  To date the Gulf of Mexico is the only place where I can be in tune with my inner peace and let go or let in anything and everything that I want.  In secret this particular beach is my little piece of heaven.  I am willing to share this little piece of heaven providing someone can actually find the spot in the sand where I sit or was sitting. ;-)
I am a junior, transfer student to MCLA and this is my second semester of fun.  I am a biology major, pre-professional.  I plan to apply to some Physician’s Assistant programs this fall 2012.  If that doesn’t work out, well then I’ll just do something different.  I’m also a pharmacy technician and have a love, hate relationship with the position.
I took this course because I over think every situation.  I have always had more than one thought or opinion on any one given subject.  Not only will this class allow for new insights and great conversations but it will assure me that it is ok to have more than one opinion on something.
I enjoy writing, singing (MCLA choir), cooking, working out, and spending time with fam and friends.  I look forward to getting to know all of you and hope everyone has a great semester.