Name
Institution
Course
Professor
Date of Submission
“The Girl with All the Gifts”
Is it right for Dr Caldwell to kill individuals like Melanie to find a vaccine for the fungal infection that turns humans into zombies? It is an intrusive question that can bring about the significant debate as people have different views regarding Dr Caldwell’s act. However, I stand by on the doctor’s side supporting his deeds and efforts of trying to find a medication that could curb the unethical act of human turning to bloodsuckers and brain-dead. “The Girl with All the Gifts” by Mike Carey is a horror drama which comprises zombies that could feed on blood and human flesh. Melanie among other zombie children who lived in the military facility tends to be victims of the deadly fungus. It is in the territory where Melanie is being experimented and studied by Dr Caldwell who is optimistic about coming up with the antinode that has efficiently interfered with an average human being existence. In this discussion, Dr Caldwell’s action of killing individuals with the attempt to come up with a vaccine for the fungal infection that changed humans to Zombies is justified to an in-depth extent.
It is right that Dr Caldwell’s act of killing people is inhumane and would lead to significant suffering to the victims as many claims in supporting their opposition side. However, the fungus infection that turns human being to brain-dead and undead creatures that are flesh eaters has been widely spread in the world affecting many people (Carey, page 9). In medication trial and error is to some extent right to find the solution to such a pandemic as it harms tend to be hazardous. It would be recommendable to keep trying as confidence and hopes are the fundamental principles that stay human moving as well as overcoming the challenges in the day to day life. What if Dr Caldwell got the right medication for the dangerous fungal after her experiments and effectively treat all the infected people in that particular location. She would have sacrificed one life for the well-being of all the affected people who had already turned to zombies as well as the whole world as from that date the medication would be significantly be used to cure any other person infected by the fungus.
In practising her professionalism as a researcher and a doctor, Dr Caldwell understands that to succeed in finding the vaccine for an irresistible infection practical specimen must be significantly used so that to the assurance that the medicine is effective. Otherwise, without proper testing, such medications can worsen the situation of many other people who will seek medication with hopes of getting back to normal or even result in their demise. In every research, field specimen must be used find a sound solution to a challenge as it acts as the control experiment. For instance, if today the physicians and other researchers do not carry out the tests to come up with medication for various diseases as it is unethical and vicious to kill abundant of the world’s population would live to suffer, and many would be dead (Carrington, page 22).
Take the HIV and Aids the widely spread disease in the universe and relate it to the fungal infection depicted in the play. It is true the Aids does not have a valid cure, but the scientist through research has come up with antiretroviral that curbs the disease and gives the victim chance to live long as other ordinary people under medication. In their control experiments to find the antiretroviral in some instances, human specimens were used to test its effectiveness, and it worked out well. What if they said no it is unethical to use humans as control experiments as they are also endangered to death? The pandemic could have continued to kill many people in the world up to date as it was the case during the early days of its discovery. Therefore, Dr Caldwell’s efforts are justified as the success in finding the antidote would be the whole community’s joy and people will leave peaceful with no fear of being attacked by the flesh-eating zombies.
In the play, Melanie is unique and gifted as she portrays distinct characteristics of being partially affected by the fungal infection. She has humanity and the desire to learn new things on how to live an average human’s life which was not the case with other regular zombies who were hungry and could not live with another human being without causing trouble. This fact attracted Dr Caldwell’s attention to learn what is that in her mind that makes Melanie partly zombie and partly humane hence the urge to carry out the intention dissecting experiment (McFarland, page 31). Dr Caldwell is passionate and significantly about the society as she could spend most of her time trying to figure out Melanie’s behaviors with the effort to find an effective vaccine to treat the fungal infections.
As discussed above, it is right for Dr Caldwell to use a human being as control experiments in coming up with appropriate treatment for the fungus infection. Let us learn to appreciate and support people in what they are passionate in as at the end their efforts might bear fruits that will be of use to the whole community and bring changes that will curb suffering. For instance, in “The Girl with All Gifts” Mike Carey tries to show that every individual is gifted differently and together people can do better enhance good co-existence. Sgt. Eddie Parks works to control the zombies in the military facility by restricting their hands, legs and heads to ensure survivability of all people in the territory as Dr Caldwell work to find treatment to turn the zombies into ordinary people. Therefore, it is essential to living together and support each other to enhance success and well-being of every individual.
References
Carey, Mike R. The Girl With All The Gifts: The most original thriller you will read this year. Hachette UK, 2014.
Carrington, Victoria. “The ‘Next People’: And the Zombies Shall Inherit the Earth.” Generation Z. Springer, Singapore, 2016. 21-35.
McFarland, James. “Philosophy of the living dead: At the origin of the zombie-image.” Cultural Critique 90.1 (2015): 22-63.
