I'm learning about PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), a very common disorder that seems to be caused by a whole lot of complicated things going wrong -either independently or as part of some underlying still undiscovered cause. This makes me wonder about that trendy new theory of "intelligent design". Proponents of this theory argue that evolution, the process of natural selection on randomly created chemical and biological forms, does not explain the complexity of everything in the universe. They say that there must be something "intelligent" that actually designed all these things. If this is indeed the case, then I have a question for them: are all the "mistakes" in evolution, like PCOS or Sickle cell anemia or something as horrible congenital ichthyosis products of intelligent design as well? (If so, wouldn't you rather not believe in an "intelligent being" capable of giving a baby such a painfully fatal disease? There really cannot be a "higher reason" for something that horrible.)
If these diseases are not products of intelligent design, then would one call them random events? And would one still call them random events if for some reason they -like sickle cell disease- suddenly became beneficial and helped that specific group of people survive and reproduce?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Um yeah, just a little warning might have been nice. (I found your site via a comment you made on blurbomat, I wasn't exactly expecting it.) I know as a med student and future doctor that's the reality - you will face a lot of situations throughout your career that are brutally difficult. But I probably would have avoided clicking that link or at least been a little more prepared. Those images not only represent physical pain for that baby, but an intense and indescribable emotional pain for the parents that I'm not sure you understand until you are a parent. (The video says "congratulations" at the bottom. It's probably that baby's father or grandparent or aunt - or second mom for all I know - making that video.) Now, you'll probably click over to my blog and see a cutesy blog full of baby pictures and links to craft blogs and think I'm just oversensitive and don't I know the world is full of suffering. Fuck yes, I know it's full of suffering, I just wasn't looking for a extra helping right then. I don't think you should have not posted the link, I just think a warning might be appreciated.
I'm not trying to lecture you. I just couldn't stop thinking about this after I saw it last night. It made me sob for about 20 minutes, so I came back (to your blog, not that link) this morning to comment. Maybe it's hormones.
As to your original point, I don't believe in ID, and I do believe in evolution. I agree with you that it's questionable logic that this kind of suffering is all part of a design with a greater purpose that we don't understand or however it is they explain it away.
thanks for the comment, mrs. mcdonell. i agree with you, and am kicking myself for being too sleep-deprived to not be insensitive. (a good lesson to learn early i guess). that link was way too excessive, and it really makes no point. sorry, sometimes med students like me get a little sucked into our world and forget that the suffering we surround ourselves with everyday is not necessarily something that the rest of the world wants -or necessarily needs- to see. i'll disable the link.
I can relate to sleep deprivation! I'm glad you don't seem offended. I was trying really hard not to be too lecture-y. Thanks. BTW - I have read more of your blog and I think it's very good. My best friend since first grade is a doctor and a mom - we have talked about this kind of stuff. It's a challenge I'm sure I don't really understand myself. You *have* to detach or you would lose it, but yet somehow retain empathy for patients and their families. I don't envy you that task. Good luck in your exams etc. :)
Post a Comment