The Undefined Limits of Tampering with Nature

By Kaley Sapper

In “L’ntrus” (“The Intruder”), Jean-Luc Nancy calls to question the worth of medical intervention and the philosophical implications behind prolonging death. By experience of his own transplant and medical journey, Nancy claimed humanity has tampered with nature (creating “intruders” in the natural body) and has never been prepared to answer the question, “which life should be pro-longed, and to what end?” Nancy leaves questions unanswered, but he provides the basis for an excellent philosophical inquiry: the meaning and implications of extending life through medicine. There are many layers to this complex ethical question, but superficially, the topic can be addressed in terms of intent and outcome. However, ultimately, the answer is up to each individual.

The sole purpose of medicine is to maintain and repair the human body in order to improve quality of life. This includes maintenance, such as vaccinations and dental cleanings, and damage control, such as stitches and cancer treatment. The intention is to help people and improve quality of life by using science to aid or alter biological processes. Some of these treatments are invasive and extreme, like chemoradiation and transplants, and they push the boundaries of what humans have been capable of in the past. In a sense, humans now have the capacity to manipulate nature, and the boundaries will continue to be pushed as technology and knowledge advances. Mortality rates decreased, and lifespan increased in locations with access to medical care, and as the medical care advances, these qualities will continue on this trend. There is no doubt that medicine has positively impacted lives of countless people, but there is not a clear line drawn regarding what can and should be done. This extends to many subgroups, but for this conversation, it will be limited to the physical and emotional impact on the individual patient.

Nancy describes his transplant experience and all of the complications that follow, asking if all of those complications and the reduction in quality of life was worth the time he was given at all. Some treatments are minimally invasive, but Nancy experienced one of the most complex and invasive procedures medicine has to offer. He endured pain and suffering caused by the procedure alone, including complications. Medicine will continue to advance, pushing natural boundaries and, arguably, prolonging death. What science considers today as the forefront of medicine will soon fade into old, reliable procedures as shiny, new procedures take the stage. This is the way of things, as it is with many other developments, like renewable energy and computing capacity. As a society, there are so many things we have yet to discover, and these discoveries open up countless opportunities for innovation, including medical innovation. We have yet to hit the point where the practice is acknowledged as unnatural and beyond what human capability should be. There is no wall, no point at which the world deems it as “wrong,” because there will never be unanimous agreement about what wrong truly is. There will be differences of opinion and extreme polarization after some event sparks public interest, but there will never be total agreement. Doctors advise patients on the best course of treatment and what the potential outcomes look like, but ultimately, decisions regarding treatment are up to the patient. Perhaps these outcomes need more emphasis, but patients are given the choice. Medicine will keep pushing boundaries, so it’s up to every individual whether they want to participate and reap both positive and negative consequences medicine has to offer.