Angela Harlem
Jesus Online
Ages ago, one of my sociology teachers asked me this question, and I glibly replied of course, she murmured something then smiled before leaving me pondering. Its something I've thought about on occasion since then. I've just about reached my conclusion on it, but dont think I like the answer-if I could even bring myself to decide for sure.
First off, I decided there's 2 hypotheticals to consider. An absolute eradication of all diseases that are fatal/non fatal, and simply cures or treatment for all conditions.
In the 1st instance, I figured this would cause almost immediate consequences as well as long term. Employment is one. This sounds silly, but my mum for one would be suddenly out of a job. All doctors, nurses, hospital cleaners, pathologists, radiologist, everyone, would need to find employment elsewhere. This perhaps isn't a terribly huge issue, but one nevertheless-How many people anyway are employed in that sector? Then of course there are the poeple that die every minute of every day, suddenly living til old age kicks in. Long term population explosion. It sounds callous, and thats what I dont like about this. I have lost family members and friends to cancer and heart disease, and like anyone wished desparately for a cure for them. And I would give anything to have them back. After reading the debate about genetics, and everyday realising scientists are getting closer to cures for so many afflictions, it's got me thinking if the population can really cope with the numbers ensuing. the only thing that sets us apart from other animals is our ability to reason and to love, hate etc. But with our 'superior' intelligence, comes the need to constantly improve. To rid ourselves of natures culling methods I think is a move that we will not be able to cope with in the long run. The world wide population as is is increasing at a rate that people say is going to cause problems with resources, space, economics etc. I'm no expert, but really, can we fit everyone in eventually?
More realistically, the latter would happen, as genies dont live in bottles on the beach. Even with that, the consequences would be similar. The only probable difference would be the cost of medical care going through the roof. As it is, there are people who cannot afford basic medical cover. I live in a country where most non serious bills are paid for in Medicare. But not everyone is so lucky. It would be sad to see only the wealthy be able to benefit from such an opportunity. I think the health industry overall would suffer with funding issues, political shit fights, a kind of social depression increase over the state of health care funding etc etc etc. How much does it cost anyway to grow another arm for an amputee, ot provide effective drugs for a heart condition, or rid someone of a brain tumour? im kinda going off track here as these are already issues we face, but I gues what im trying to say is its only going to add to the strain of our already crippled health state.
Even as Ive been typing this, my opinions are waivering. At the end of the day, I know I would do anything I could and spend whatever money I had to save someone's life. I still faithfully send off money each month to fund raising organisations hoping the magical cure is just around the corner. We all would do anything to make it happen and its inevitable we will make it happen one day. But at what cost?
First off, I decided there's 2 hypotheticals to consider. An absolute eradication of all diseases that are fatal/non fatal, and simply cures or treatment for all conditions.
In the 1st instance, I figured this would cause almost immediate consequences as well as long term. Employment is one. This sounds silly, but my mum for one would be suddenly out of a job. All doctors, nurses, hospital cleaners, pathologists, radiologist, everyone, would need to find employment elsewhere. This perhaps isn't a terribly huge issue, but one nevertheless-How many people anyway are employed in that sector? Then of course there are the poeple that die every minute of every day, suddenly living til old age kicks in. Long term population explosion. It sounds callous, and thats what I dont like about this. I have lost family members and friends to cancer and heart disease, and like anyone wished desparately for a cure for them. And I would give anything to have them back. After reading the debate about genetics, and everyday realising scientists are getting closer to cures for so many afflictions, it's got me thinking if the population can really cope with the numbers ensuing. the only thing that sets us apart from other animals is our ability to reason and to love, hate etc. But with our 'superior' intelligence, comes the need to constantly improve. To rid ourselves of natures culling methods I think is a move that we will not be able to cope with in the long run. The world wide population as is is increasing at a rate that people say is going to cause problems with resources, space, economics etc. I'm no expert, but really, can we fit everyone in eventually?
More realistically, the latter would happen, as genies dont live in bottles on the beach. Even with that, the consequences would be similar. The only probable difference would be the cost of medical care going through the roof. As it is, there are people who cannot afford basic medical cover. I live in a country where most non serious bills are paid for in Medicare. But not everyone is so lucky. It would be sad to see only the wealthy be able to benefit from such an opportunity. I think the health industry overall would suffer with funding issues, political shit fights, a kind of social depression increase over the state of health care funding etc etc etc. How much does it cost anyway to grow another arm for an amputee, ot provide effective drugs for a heart condition, or rid someone of a brain tumour? im kinda going off track here as these are already issues we face, but I gues what im trying to say is its only going to add to the strain of our already crippled health state.
Even as Ive been typing this, my opinions are waivering. At the end of the day, I know I would do anything I could and spend whatever money I had to save someone's life. I still faithfully send off money each month to fund raising organisations hoping the magical cure is just around the corner. We all would do anything to make it happen and its inevitable we will make it happen one day. But at what cost?
