Experimentation Revealed In The Film Awakenings '

Awakenings
A The film Awakenings presents the viewer with numerous moral challenges related to experimentation. However, there are contless reasons why experimenting on the patients was morally justified. Firstly, the patients were suffering from an almost unimaginably cruel disease. The encephalitis they contracted around 40 years ago had paralyzed their physical bodies. Early in the film, it was hypothesized that the patients were cognitively disabled. The truth in fact was their mental facilities were still intact. These people were prisoners in their own bodies; unable to speak, in most cases move, and perform daily functions. Experimentation was the only possible way to free these people from within themselves. Dr. Sayer is a kindred spirit to Jonas’ belief that the patients are the doctor’s primary focus. …show more content…
The physician is trying to help his neglected patients. He is not motivated by improving science or making a name for himself. When Dr. Sayer first observed the patients with encephalitis, he noticed that they mostly were neglected. Other than Leonard, the other patients sat in their wheelchairs with little interaction. The cramped Bronx facility was not taking providing them adequate stimulation. Sadly, the patients had no quality in their lives. Dr. Sayer with the purest of intentions wanted to give them their lives back. Before he experimented on Leonard, Dr. Sayer did ask his mother for informed consent. Initially, the medication did awaken the individuals to a new life. The patients were thrilled to be able to move and speak again. They enjoyed dancing and experiencing the new world! Although the drug’s effect lasted on a short time, it gave patients the ability to