The ethics behind the “Ulysses Contract” has been a controversy for centuries. The idea of giving consent for a future self, who is less capable of making a correct decision, shows in both literature and medicine. While the “Ulysses Contract” is prevalent across our society, many debate whether an initial consent is more important than a rash decision made under the influence. Although it is debated heavily, morally a decision made with a mentally sound mind should be irreversible compare to a rash decision, however legally it has many practical complications.
The term “Ulysses Contract” derives from Homer’s epic The Odyssey. Its name originates from Ulysses (Odysseus in Greek) and his encounter with the Sirens. When Odysseus and his crew
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They both accepted a contract before they entered a state where they could not fully control their conscience. They also knew to some extent the consequences these contracts held, but also what results they may lead. It was either being able to listen to the songs of the Sirens, in Odysseus’ scenario, or having a chance to treat tardive dyskinesia in J.S’ case. However, the risk they were taking were far from equal. In the Odyssey, Odysseus was able to confirm his safety and the future events that follows, however J.S had none of it. No one knew what affects the experimental medications could have on J.S or his …show more content…
Though PADs do allow users to consent to experimental medicine, the effects of J.S’ illness would have likely excluded him from the trial. When J.S was under psychosis, he would be “squatting in the corner of his room, refusing to eat, and burning himself with matches. He refused all medical attention”. Not only was this condition dangerous to J.S current health, it gave a researches a difficult time administering the experimental drug. This made the researchers want to apply “special services”, onto J.S. This would have likely used force to administer the drug to J.S. Since the lawyers of the unit consulted heavily against this approach, J.S was eventually put off the drug and back onto his original medication for his safety. The research teach had no legal right to forcefully administer an experimental drug. If they had known the outcome of the drug , like how Odysseus knew the outcome of his contract, then it would have been more debatable under the