Asahi Shimbun Morning Edition – November 6, 1999
"We dedicated all our efforts to understanding the poliovirus, which causes polio, but once the vaccine was introduced, funding for research into its causes was reduced to zero. That is how medicine works, but is that really acceptable for medical science?"
I can never forget these words from a renowned molecular biologist, spoken more than a quarter-century ago. In fact, ever since the enactment of the Mental Retardation Welfare Act in 1960, the field of medical research on intellectual disabilities has been in continuous decline. Psychiatrists have encountered many patients with intellectual disabilities accompanied by various psychiatric symptoms. While they may be able to improve symptoms like epileptic seizures or hallucinations, they cannot enhance intelligence itself.
It is not only the families of individuals with dementia or intellectual disabilities who hope for a drug that could "make people smarter." Although medications aimed at improving cerebral blood flow and metabolism are available, they often fail to meet expectations.
The 1968 film Flowers for Algernon, based on Daniel Keyes' novel, explores this very wish. Charlie, who has an IQ of 70 and is ridiculed by his coworkers, undergoes the same surgery that had been tested on the laboratory mouse Algernon, transforming him into a genius. While he is satisfied with his newfound intelligence, his mind struggles to keep up with the rapid changes. His life becomes fragmented, and his emotions are thrown into turmoil.
In contrast, the 1997 film Good Will Hunting portrays the opposite scenario. A young man working odd jobs and spending time with his delinquent friends turns out to possess a genius-level intellect. He effortlessly solves complex mathematical problems that even university professors cannot. However, he is deeply afraid of getting hurt, avoiding self-reflection and simply toying with his intelligence. When a psychiatrist finally helps him open up, he decides not to take a lucrative job where he could utilize his talents but instead embarks on a journey to the West Coast to pursue his love.
The fundamental principle of normalization is to ensure that people with disabilities can live ordinary lives. However, is the ultimate wish of individuals and their families to have their disabilities accepted, or to have their conditions cured? Physicians cannot afford to be complacent simply because welfare and rehabilitation have advanced.
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