I found Jodi Picoult’s “My Sister’s Keeper” an emotionally riveting narrative that outlines the ethical dilemmas people experience when called upon to make some of the most challenging decisions. The story encompasses serious ethical or moral issues, especially regarding Anna’s treatment; she has been compelled to donate bone marrow and blood to save Kate, her genetic match and an acute leukaemia patient. The family exerts intense pressure on Anna to donate a kidney, but she digresses, considering suing her parents for the ultimate medical emancipation. Being a member of the Fitzgerald family would evoke profound feelings and create tensions because of the love for Anna and the sacrifices she has made for Kate and the family, and concern for Kate because of the possibility that she would die if she is not guaranteed of Anna’s continued assistance and the kidney donation.
I understand that disagreements are likely to emerge when a family is faced with conflicting needs, such as genuine concern for a sick member and the possible abuse of another. In my position as a member of the Fitzgerald family, I would face severe doubts about every decision made because I understand the implications for the two people at the center of the crisis. The love I would have for Kate would be unwavering. I know that she is unfortunate to experience such a debilitating disease and is sure to die if she does not receive the medical assistance from Anna that has sustained her so far. However, I know that Anna is justified in her decision to sue her parents to give her complete control over her body. She is a young girl aged 13 and has a future to worry about (Picoult 13). Anna needs all the support to make the right decisions, meaning she does not have to be coerced to make decisions she might regret later.
Such scenarios would affect me overwhelmingly because I would have to make radical decisions while taking care of the interests of both parties. The narrative is sad but necessary because it reflects the harshness of life and underscores that life is not always fair. Likely, I would experience an emotional breakdown because I know that remaining undecided is impossible in this case; one has to side with Kate or Anna in one way or another. Suppose I witness a person I love experiencing a terminal illness. In that case, I am likely to have nightmares, engage in denial of facts, be perpetually filled with anger, or I would face intense feelings of hopelessness. The feelings might lead me to make irrational mistakes or engage in unacceptable conduct. Still, I would do all this to enable me to escape from the intensity of the emotions momentarily.
Having my life taken away to save my sibling is impossible because I believe everyone has a right to life, and none should have to give away theirs for the sake of another’s life. Understandably, I would be guided by unconditional love for my sibling; however, such love could never persuade me to make an irrational decision, such as giving my life for the sake of my sibling. I believe parents and relatives should not coerce family members to go to extreme levels to save the life of a terminally ill patient. There comes a time when one wishes to see a terminally ill patient die to end their suffering.
The book shows that genetically designing children is morally and ethically wrong because it is not done for their good but others. Such practices are bad because they lead to the unnecessary suffering of other people, as is the case with Anna. The procedures place unneeded burdens on families and societies and potentially lead to medical complications. In this regard, I hold that genetic engineering can only be morally justified if it entails research to treat complex illnesses but not as experimental procedures to create babies.
Work Cited
Picoult, Jodi. My sister’s keeper: A novel. Atria Books, 2004
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