Biomedical Ethics

Biomedical Ethics -- Reflection of "I Am Sam"

The treatment of vulnerable population in situations of legal rights is an ever-growing dilemma. In the movie "I Am Sam," Sam is a mentally disabled father seen as unfit to care for his daughter. Because of social workers observations, the courts removed the daughter from his care. Individuals with mental disabilities, like Sam, suffer daily with basic right infringements. People are quick to pass judgment on individuals like Sam, even to the point of placing stress on their basic liberties of justice and the pursuit of happiness. The question stands however, what are the ethical principles involved in the treatment of vulnerable individuals and what potential legal challenges could arise? Using Benedictine values as the underlining influence, a discussion the treatment of vulnerable populations and legal challenges will ensue.

Applying ethical principles to the basic needs of the disabled is a common curtsey as given to any human. The question of if Sam was a suitable parent arose, and family courts only saw him as incapable of providing a suitable home and care. Looking deeper into the situation, the attorney learned about her client through his insightfulness and his willingness to show compassion. Sam's compassion is the compassion he should have received by the system; the system being Child Services and the Court Systems. Time to understand the disabled yields time gained to make an intelligent recommendation for the next course of action.

Legally, not providing an individual with the same rights as everyone else is discriminatory as each case must provide evidence, in favor or against, yet in a way that does not place harm on the disabled individuals. Yet, the state takes on paternalism which "consists in acting in a way that is believed to protect or advance the interest of a person although acting in this way goes against the person own immediate desires or limits the person's freedom of choice" (Munson, 1979, pg 169). Therefore, for an attorney to discredit and individual because of their disability falls in line with paternalism. Whether paternalism is correct or not in legal application, the state uses this thinking in the assurance of the soundness of individuals with disabilities. It is not fair, however, the state feels that state paternalism is unobjectionable in the medical context, and feels more confident in their state certified medical persons then external doctors (Munson, 1979, pg 170). In 'I Am Sam', the state certified therapist asked Sam if he understood his rights that confidentiality is null in light of his case. Since he could not accurate answer the question to the liking of the doctor, and seen as a mark against his case.

Dependency of individuals on the medical arena only show how much power the medical world has over an individuals life. Whether individuals implicitly or explicitly agree to allow a doctor to make decisions for them, the power of the relationship resides in the medical advisor (Munson, 1979, pg 170). The ethical responsibility of the physician is vast considering that the patient under advisement believes the physician will act in an autonomic way. In the case of Sam, he only saw the doctor as someone whom he could talk to about his situation, not that the separatist mentality would be relevant. Sam believed that the doctor would be truthful, as he knew he was being truthful. Truth and confidentiality play a vital role in this film. When Sam asked the foster mother, that if he admitted he needed help would she tell on him in court, he trusted her ability to keep confidence between them, as he was trying to foster a relationship.