Dilemmas in My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult Essays

PHI 111 Final Paper: Dilemmas in My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult The novel â€Å"My Sister’s Keeper† by Jodi Picoult explores the medical, legal, ethical and moral issues related to long term illness and discusses some of the bioethical issues around the experimental technique known as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. The author presents many ethical dilemmas when a couple chooses to genetically engineer a baby to create a bone marrow match for their terminally ill daughter. That creation is Anna Fitzgerald, who is beginning to wonder about her place in the world and questions her on going donations in order to save her sister’s, Kate’s life. Anna feels that her existence is defined by her ability to save her sister. That type of†¦show more content†¦However I feel that Brian and Sara forgot to focus on what could be better for Anna when the time came for her to live her own life. At first Anna was experiencing psychological altruism which sometimes motivated her to put Kate’s interests ahead of her o wn. As Anna grew older she realized that the donations were at her own expense and she wanted to be free. Everyone, including children has the right to act in one’s own best interest. Therefore if Anna felt that she was not living to her best ability because of her connection with Kate then this egoism should be respected. This contrasts her mother, Sara’s psychological egoism, because she was acting in her own interests to save Kate. In this case, what Sara finds acceptable for Anna is negligent against Anna’s autonomy. The character of Sara is most adamant that it is in Anna’s best interests to act as a donor for Kate. However I do not think she meant for Anna to be at the mercy of her sister. I think she was only intent on doing what had to be done to keep her family intact by preserving the life of Kate. Sara believes that the social, emotional and psychological best interests of a person depend upon the happiness in the family in which they grow up in. This gives the idea that Anna’s best interests and welfare are closely tied to those of her family, whoShow MoreRelatedEssay on My Sister’s Keeper Shouldnt be a Challenged Book1508 Words   |  7 Pagesnovel My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult is a challenged book because of its homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit scenes, violence, and being unsuited to its age group; by all means this novel should not be challenged because, it’s use of offensive language is only us ed to intensify certain situations, and through all of the controversial issues it employs, it puts in perspective just how far someone would go for his/her family. This novel, My Sister’sRead MoreMy Sister s Keeper By Jodi Picoult1216 Words   |  5 PagesReading Response – Kaitlyn Baker My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult Sad novels have never really appealed to me. I’ve never been drawn by their sombre and depressing tone, often leaving me in a state of wondering, what now? This novel didn’t excite me at first. The storyline of ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ by Jodi Picoult, follows Anna Fitzgerald as she takes her parents to court so that she could be emancipated from medically supporting here leukaemia ridden sister, Kate. But as I read through, there wereRead MoreMy Sister s Keeper By Jodi Picoult979 Words   |  4 PagesMy Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult beautifully illustrates many different legal, ethical, and moral dilemmas that can accompany a possible terminal illness diagnosis within a family especially that of a young family. Ultimately the book causes you to re-examine any stance you may have had between that of what is legally and ethically right and what is morally right. Brian and Sara Fitzgerald have two small children who seem healthy and happy. Suddenly their daughter Kate falls sick, and after manyRead MoreDevelopment of Anna Fitzgerald Character – My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult1980 Words   |  8 PagesDevelopment of Anna Fitzgerald Character – My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult school and last name deleted December 9, 2011 PSYCH1323 Adolescence development relies upon many factors. In order to accurately examine its growth, it is useful to look at some developmental theories. Anna Fitzgerald is thirteen years old; however, she is not like any other teenager with some ordinary problems. Anna was born for a specific purpose she was born to save her sister’s life and to serve as a matched tissueRead MoreMy Sisters Keeper Essay750 Words   |  3 PagesIn My Sister’s Keeper, Jodi Picoult tells the story of a family who is faced with a tragedy and in turn creates an ethical dilemma without even realizing it. Brian and Sarah Fitzgerald don’t think they will have any more children after Jesse and Kate, but when Kate is diagnosed with leukemia ideas of having another child spark in the minds of the Fitzgeralds. Although one might think the Fitzgeralds would have another child to replace the one they may lose, their plan is to use the child to keepRead MoreThe Movie My Sisters Keeper Essay1376 Word s   |  6 PagesMy Sister’s Keeper The movie â€Å"My Sister’s Keeper,† is based on the best-selling novel by Jodi Picoult; it explores the medical, legal, and ethical issues that pose a dilemma not revealed until the very end of the movie. The director, Nick Cassavetes, plays out an honest story that overwhelms his audience with waves of emotion by illustrating the daily battles of a young, genuine, and sincere cancer patient. Although an unfamiliar story to most, Mr. Cassavetes is able to grasp a sense of realismRead MoreMy Sisters Keeper5805 Words   |  24 PagesMy Sister’s Keeper Based on the book by Jodi Picoult ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost, we would all like to thank the Man with the Big guns from above named God. We thank you the most for without you we would never be able to do the things we love in life. We would never be able to see and feel the great wonders of the world that you have made for us especially the friendship and love that you never fail to provide us. Thank you for that. To our teacher we thank you for