MovieChat Forums > Freakshow (2013) Discussion > Is it humane to let an 'abomination' liv...

Is it humane to let an 'abomination' live?

posted 11 years ago by budarc
5 replies | jump to latest

Every time they show a two-headed something-or-another on the show, I can't help but feel horrible. These are two separate beings stuck in one body, each struggling for control. Tonight's episode with the conjoined lizards struck a deep chord in me, because it seems like those poor creatures are so miserable. Is it moral to let those two lizards suffer, rather than take the risk to separate them (especially when the doctor gave the go ahead)? Wouldn't they have a better quality of life if they were given a chance to thrive separately? I'm not sure I agree with the "nature made them that way" theory as an argument for keeping them together. Often there are mutations or aberrations in nature and we have the science to correct some of them, so isn't it irresponsible not to?

I have to ask myself, what would I do in that situation? I don't think I would want to live as a medical oddity if it could be helped. If I was suffering, I would probably want to be put out of my misery. But then I see the strength of those in unfortunate circumstances who learn to adapt to their situations (such as the Half-Man or Armless Wonder), and I feel pretty pathetic for seeking the easy way out.

I don't know. It just seemed like a ripe topic for debate.

[–] lucydungeon 11 years ago

I think that these lizards might want us to "risk it". I'll speak more later:)

[–] bobsyeruncle-1 11 years ago

Seemed to me like there were no clear pros. The bearded dragons were a little inconvenienced, but they weren't suffering. No indication at all that they were miserable joined to each other. There was no telling whether they would be doing anything much differently if they were freed. On the other hand, there was a small risk that they were sharing something vital in the band that linked them. Plus the anesthesia for the operation was a risk. If it were humans, they could tell you what they wanted. For the animals, the operation was all risk and no clear indication of any benefit.

So, while I didn't agree with the "as nature intended" argument, I would have left them alone.

[–] nobodies666 10 years ago

every creature deserves life

Smash the control machine, work, buy, consume, die. Haters, betrayers, liars and thieves.-Otep

[–] Sandicmxr 9 years ago

Actually the dr didn't give the go ahead. She said there was a possibility the lung function could be connected and wouldn't know until she did the surgery. I think in some cases it's best to leave them alone. The dr explained that bearded lizards would be close to each other in the wild, crawling over one another. Maybe not that close but they've been together so long. I see animals like this and think of humans that have the same problems.

[–] DBBanner 9 years ago

We actually had a cat with inverted eye lids the vet said there was a surgery they could do but it would probably end up blind and he's like when an animal is born with an anomaly it's better just to leave it since that's normal for them seems uncomfortable too us or painful but when your born that way you adapt and it becomes your normal