As a young diplomat in Washington D.C. Jarad inspires hope in even the most jaded of State Department employees. His record of confrontation management has been unsurpassed, in generations. His remarkable communication ability has pulled world leaders from the brink of war back to the peace negotiation process on more occasions than can be believed. He has an unsurpassed command over the methods for comparing people's moral and religious beliefs and finding a compromise that allows them to peacefully coexist. Around his office, it is whispered that when Jarad retires, the only dispute in the world left to mediate will occur on school playgrounds.
Until this point in his career, Jarad has been a relatively unknown individual within our government. No one knew his name until he actually got sick. "The rarest of possible diseases." according to the 20/20 anchor, and the testimony of his doctors. "Jarad has exactly zero possibility of survival without the proper intervention techniques." Those techniques are at the heart of the dilemma it seems, and the controversy.
The method for saving Jarad's life requires a donor to agree to a rigorous series of invasive medical procedures. Considering the advanced stage of Jarad's disease, the donor will have to literally nurse the diplomat back to health with his/her own life's blood. Jarad will require almost constant blood transfusions until he is strong enough to be expected to survive any surgical procedure. The transfusions alone could take the better part of a year, and last 24 hours per day. Transfusions are probably not the best description of the process, Jarad will have to have his blood filtered by a suitable donor's kidneys and reinserted into his own body. Considering the process, the donor would be making a tremendous sacrifice without even considering the bone marrow transplant at the end of the process. The risks are tremendous, but the opportunity to help the world community by association is just as large.
Shortly after the airing of the 20/20 episode, a national cry was voiced to find a suitable donor. Complicating the process was Jarad's extremely rare blood type. Church groups began testing their members. Employers began testing their employees, even the Boy-Scouts and Girl-Scouts of America joined in the search. Eventually their efforts paid off, and a single young donor was found. Phillip, a twenty-five year old stock broker from the mid-west carries the only acceptable genetic markers to be labeled as the prime donor. Still, Phillip is reluctant to assist. He cites the great personal sacrefice, and risk as his reason for declining. The country, indeed the world is aligned against him, but still he refuses to relent. "It may have unforseen consequences that affect my life." Phillip has often said. "I've only one life to live, and I don't want to throw it away for anyone, not even the Pope himself." His fears are confirmed by the risk assessment given by doctors about the procedure.
"When you go under anesthesia, there's always a risk of death." Says one noted surgeon. "Given the nature of the procedures involved, Phillip could see marked depreciation of his physical abilities for years to come if not permanantly."
The Federal Government, however will not be swayed. Lawyers for the government cite the need of Jarad's skills at diplomacy in the current difficulties between India and Pakistan. To that effect, the American Government has filed suit against Phillip, to force his compliance with the procedure.
Here's where you make the call. Do you feel that the government should be able to force Phillip to take part in the medical procedures to save the life of Jarad, their skilled diplomat? Click one of the links below and you will be taken to the appropriate page.
Yes, they should make Phillip help Jarad.- Glenn E. Petersen
October 8, 2000