MovieChat Forums > The Andromeda Strain (1971) Discussion > "Prejudice against epilepsy" - seriously...

"Prejudice against epilepsy" - seriously?


When the scientists are talking about the female doctor's epilepsy, they ask why she wouldn't disclose it. The response was "no lab would have her" and then made a comment about "old prejudices"

While they didn't know it at the time, her epilepsy almost killed them all. It's not prejudice when a condition can adversely affect your work.

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[deleted]

Maybe that is why she protested so much about taking on the mission?

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[deleted]

Indeed, that is precisely why she does this. And at the mere mention of her not feeling well, and they have a "doctor on staff", she immediately changes her mind of going, fearing any exam would out her epilepsy.

RIP Scott, you are still "Unstoppable"!
I'm judging your brain, I'm judging your brain!

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If the epilepsy is known, they could change all red signals to blue.
Just like no nuts in eatings for people with nut allergy. Or building houses and rooms with ramps instead of stairs for people sitting in wheelchairs.

With this Dr. Leavitt can be a fully capable member of the science crew.

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Bavarian, in my field, fire alarm system engineering, if any two of the visible alarm devices are in the same field of vision they have to be synchronized, and they cannot flash at three pulses a second. The color red has nothing to do with the issue, at least as far as the codes and standards I have to use are concerned.

cheers,
Ken

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At the time this was made, there was a stigma around diseases like epilepsy and there weren't any effective treatments, like there are today. It makes sense for her to cover it up. Scientists are human: they are just as capable of intolerance and irrationality as anyone else.

Tucker's Law: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe3Ou9xBAlI

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Agreed, and why certain epilepsy exceptions can be made for drivers/licenses privileges. The same thought behind jobs that require you to be able to lift 50 pounds - if you cannot, then you will not get that job.

RIP Scott, you are still "Unstoppable"!
I'm judging your brain, I'm judging your brain!

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I know this might sound naive, but why can't these prejudices in humans just die down, especially in mature ones?

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