Neither did I think she was brave and wonderful to have told the public that she had cut off her breasts. The news gave a headsup to women all over the world, but as far as I know, it's not like she has offered to pay for every single surgery needed because of mutant BRCA1/2. She had the money and the support she needed and did what she could to protect herself, just like anyone would do. I didn't really understand what the big deal was.
But today, I was reminded of the difficulties patients and might-be-patients of hereditary diseases face. They want to know the truth, but if they get tested, it might violate the right of their family members -- the right to stay uninformed. It's great if it turns out they're safe, but if not, parents end up blaming themselves and it can also cause some hurtful arguments.
It especially shocked me when an anonymous patient said her mother had told her to give up having a family of her own. She said it was cruel and pointless to produce another human who would have to go through the same pain. It does make sense in a way, but the patient also has the right to live her life the way she wants. Babies are not born to fulfill the parents' desires, but in reality, people have babies because they want babies. If the patient wants a baby, shouldn't she be allowed to have one just like anyone else?
If people start thinking like the mother above, people with hereditary diseases are doomed to suffer discrimination. Our lives will heavily depend upon what kind of genes we have. But we all have genetic deficiencies regardless of whether it shows or not. No one is perfect. And it's hard to define what is "normal".
It seems like science has come a long way. It needs a mature society that can accept what it gives. Maybe this is when ignorance becomes a crime. And I guess Jolie, after all, has given us a good chance to think about something very important.
Note: will be absent till my pharmacology test is over. Take care!
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