Joseph A. Muscat, Ta’ Xbiex
An anomaly perceived as normality
At about the same time that the Christian world was celebrating the birth of Mary’s child in a manger in Bethlehem, the news was broken that Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish had become the proud co-fathers of a child born in a Los Angeles Clinic from a surrogate mother. This last piece of information was joyously taken up by our own home-grown contemporary artist and lover of all things beautiful who waxed lyrical about the wonder of such an event; shades of the Angel of the Lord singing Gloria on that cold starry night, above the humble inn.
Now I must at the outset state that I am utterly indifferent to the sexual orientation of my fellow citizens. Only as a mature doctor and a student of life I cannot help observing that nature in her prodigal way has ensured the survival of the (human) species by making us male or female and providing an irresistible attraction between the two sexes. But nature is also a cruel and aberrant force and not uncommonly jumps the rails and brings into being what in medical parlance are called anomalies. This is not a pejorative term, it only indicates a deviation from the usual.
The problem arises when we start confusing or identifying an anomalous state with a normal one. In medicine we try to correct anomalous states and reduce them to natural ones as for example in the separation of conjoined twins. However, there are situations where this cannot be done and the error is made of trying to wipe out the difficulties of such impossibilities by creating the illusion that an anomalous state is the natural and normal one.
The latest Elton John affair is one for sad reflection not jubilation.
The rhetorical question put as to “when can we expect matters to change here in Malta to allow couples of the same sex to adopt children”, presumably by deluding ourselves that what is anomalous is natural and normal, should not cause problems.
The answer, I trust, will be “never”.
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N Zahra
Jan 13th 2011, 21:38
Interesting reading. However the problem arises of how to treat anomalies. For example, should the disabled or the sick be allowed to bear children if there is a chance that their anomalies are passed on to their children? My question might horrify some readers, but this is precisely what happens when we start to classify people. I believe that the best way forward is ti accept that all humans are anomalies as everyone is unique. As long as a persons activities are not to the direct detriment of someone else, well then why not? The question here is whether the baby will be at a disadvantage for having two fathers.
Pule' Carmel
Jan 13th 2011, 21:30
Once in England I went to have a new pair of spectacles made, not because I needed them but it was a good idea to have my sight tested. But when I wore them the new set,I found that one eye would focus immediately but the other due to a slight mistake in the focal power gave me a slightly blurred image. To my surprise the person who made the spectacles said, " It is such a slight fault, that nature being what it is, will get used to it. There are many people who get used to such a little error in sight!" I threw my spectacles away and asked him to give me back my old lenses which were at least clear and balanced in the manner I saw the world around me. I hope that what goes on in the animal kingdom would not be projected on us humans. At the moment I am thinking of that female spider which thinks it is quite normal to eat the Male spider which copulates with it. And by the way, I believe that animals have got a much smaller brain than the average human being.
Gerry Cowie
Jan 13th 2011, 20:23
@Ramon Casha - What argument do you actually have with Mr Muscat? You have taken out of context - as usual - what he said and gone off one one about left-handedness! Maturity must count for something, yet you even cock a snoop at this, implying that people of a certain age cannot have a constructive view on things! Why the sarcasm? And what is the connection with animals? There is no comparison! They cannot think for themselves!
Why not try a more constructive opinion if you wish to be taken seriously?
Simon Oosterman
Jan 13th 2011, 16:48
The previous comments have focused on the 'anomaly' of homosexuality. The one about left handedness being quite to the point in my opinion. However, the implied conclusion of the letter by the mature doctor is that children should not be raised by two people of the same sex. Presumably because this would be harmful to their development. There is no indication that children raised by single parents or in households where a single parent has taken a same sex partner are developing worse than children brought up in 'normal' families. Also children in orphanages are quite often exposed to one sided, either male or female, 'parents'. Because the bad effects of such situations have never been shown, adoption by same sex couples is allowed in many countries. In the case of Elton John, my personal prejudice says he is too old to be a father but there is no law against that, not even in Malta.
Matthew Vella
Jan 13th 2011, 15:20
Oh boy you're in for a shock. Gay rights are on the rise and aren't going anywhere. I know that that is somehow upsetting to some (mainly bigots and ignorant people), but look at the rest of the world. Its only a matter of time. Sorry.
Ramon Casha
Jan 13th 2011, 13:25
LEFT-HANDEDNESS is also, by your definition, an anomaly - it is a deviation from the usual. However it's been decades if not centuries since doctors tried to "correct" left-handed people. You describe yourself as a "mature" doctor, which perhaps explains why you still think in this way. The times they are a-changing, just as they changed for left-handed people who no longer spend their childhoods getting punished for using their left hand.
Dr Andrei Rominco (Paris IV)
Jan 13th 2011, 11:59
This shows, certainly, that the gentleman behind the pen has his ideas stuck to beliefs/studies of the past and that he has not kept himself abreast of current studies and science. For a doctor to write in this manner, proves only that his prejudice outweighs by far his love for learning.
A.Sacco
Jan 13th 2011, 11:36
Very true, very true. I have always nourished the thought that if things continue going as they are at present in the "western world", we will start condoning and excusing all sorts of deviant behaviour (please, I know I have used a very stark, unpleasant description, but the truth can sometimes be cruel, because nature never intended same-sex couples to act in a way that heterosexual ones do, physical union is for man and woman).
Patrik Larsson
Jan 13th 2011, 12:58
Last time I checked nature was not a person, hence its "intent" is non-existent. I can assure you that nature is quite indifferent to our sexuality.
Ramon Casha
Jan 13th 2011, 13:28
Sorry to burst your bubble, but same-sex couples can be found in many species throughout nature, including most mammals and birds. The main difference with humans is that in other species, they don't care what other couples are doing in the privacy of their burrow.
Joe Zammit
Jan 13th 2011, 10:29
The European Centre for Law and Justice is lauding the Thursday decision of the European Court of Human Rights that nations should not be forced to accept same-sex unions.
The center, an international law firm focused on protecting human rights and religious freedom, noted the court’s decision “that there is no right to marriage for homosexuals under the European Convention of Human Rights.”
It ruled that the Austrian government, which did not allow the civil marriage of two men, Horst Michael Schalk and Johann Franz Kopf, was not guilty of discrimination against these men, who brought the accusation against the state.
Sabrina Borda
Jan 13th 2011, 10:03
One of the greatest anomalies of all is that some people think that what they merely perceive as natures way is how they really prefer it ought to be.
Because there are so many men that are attracted to each other and love the way that is best for them, in fact far so many more that can be considered to be mere anomalies, then perhaps one needs to change the perception that God created anomalies according to your measure but that are actually also forming part of the very nature created. Therefor nature is not too well understood. One needs to start to begin to understand nature before one dictates how people would like it to be.