Writing pig IN THE MIDDLE
Perspective from playwright Judy Upton
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Judy Upton |
I'd read about the possibility of animal to human transplants before
I began this project, but I didn't then realise that they could begin
at any time. Either ourselves, or someone we know could be faced with
the same kind of choices that Ryan and Gemma face in Pig in the Middle.
Scientific progress happens so fast that books and videos etc., soon
become out of date. The place to look for new scientific happenings
are news programmes, the internet and newspapers.
So often, though, the media tells the story in a sensational or over-the-top-way,
which is anything but helpful. Dolly the cloned sheep is becoming a
celebrity, but does this help us understand the issues involved?
Articles on pig to human kidney transplants are illustrated with pigs'
heads stuck onto people's bodies - amusing maybe, but far removed from
the facts. New and controversial medical treatments are too often treated
as if they are science fiction or a story from The X Files. It's easy
to forget that these things actually affect us, and the world we live
in.
In writing this play, I've tried to show how the issue of xenotransplantation
will affect real people. The decision Ryan has to make is something
any one of us may have to face in the near future.
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