Reference:
Opening Skinner's Box
Lauren Slater
2004 W. W. Norton & Company
Summary:
Phychosurgeries, such as lobotomies, have been performed since the 1930s. They are done to relieve debilitating psychological illnesses, and typically 70% of the recipients show a moderate to significant improvement. Modern techniques are much more sophisticated than those employed during the field's infancy. Doctors are now able to target specific areas with pinoint precision instead of blindly probing an open skull. Some criticisms of psychosurgeries note that while patients can show beneficial results, they tend to be less vibrant, less animated than they were prior. They seem to lose the "vital spark" that makes them unique.
Discussion:
Well, this is a tough issue and no mistake. Surgeries are done all the time to remove damaged tissue, but destroying healthy tissue (especially tissue as important as the brain) should at least give people pause. As a general rule, I believe the brain is something that shouldn't be tampered with, as the information it contains defines us. However, without the proper experience it is impossible to fully empathize with the pain of another person, so I recognize that there can be merit to psychosurgery. I just pray that I am never put to that test.
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