Oct31
We (Heart) Dr. Izzy Stevens
Posted at 04:33 PM | Permalink
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Comments (21)
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Well, last night was probably my favorite television night of all time, because the best show ever also brought in an important message about animal rights. (TV + AR = my life, so you can see why I was thrilled.)
If you missed it, let me catch you up. Dr. Hunt, the new head of trauma surgery, wanted to train the residents and interns on how to deal with trauma patients, and he said that dealing with live tissue was the best way to learn. So he tied down six sedated pigs and stabbed them with knives, and then he asked the doctors to perform surgery to keep the pigs alive. (Though I'm quite sure that in real life the pigs were fake, as the show had several notices that no animals were harmed in filming.)
Enter Dr. Izzy Stevens, played by Katherine Heigl. Izzy refused to do the assignment and explained how completely unnecessary it is to test on live animals when we have such advanced alternatives that don't require us to do that. She said that animals are sensitive, emotional creatures that feel pain and don't deserve to be tortured. We are so right there with you, Izzy!
When Dr. Hunt continued to berate Izzy about this issue, she stood up for herself and for animals everywhere and never backed down. She even explained that testing on animals is pointless and can sometimes even work against medical progress. Even though a test might be successful when the subjects are animals, people and animals are different species and therefore will show completely different results.
Even no-nonsense, steely Dr. Yang took a liking to the pigs and called them by name. When the surgeries finished, Hunt ordered Yang to euthanize the pigs and she refused.
What an excellent episode! I was so thrilled to step away from Meredith's whiny, self-obsessed life for a while to focus on the other characters—and such a positive message for animals.
Now, if only Ross University had seen this episode ….
Posted by Christine Doré
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Comments
Saw it. Loved it! Felt like they wrote it just for me!!!!
Posted by: Allison | November 1, 2008 01:35 AM
Speaking on animal test, are you going to mention that today, November 1st, is World Vegan Day?
Thank you.
Posted by: Tiago Claus | November 1, 2008 10:02 AM
My favorite episode too. The whole time I was watching it all I could think of was "I can't wait til PETA writes about this!" It was so great to watch and I loved how Izzy never backed down and gave up on Dr. Hunt (the ignorant idiot!) Good post, but Christina did end up putting the pigs down, you should have that up.
Posted by: Aneliese | November 1, 2008 04:39 PM
That's like dissecting frogs and pigs so students can "see how everything works." Ok, isn't that what anatomy books are for?
And if they want to know how to deal with human trauma patients wouldn't it be best for them to observe next to emergency room doctor for some time?
Posted by: Jess | November 2, 2008 04:53 PM
The show still upset me because of knowing that some still use animals in research, etc. However, I am glad that "Dr. Izzy Stevens" spoke up for animal rights. Thank you.
Posted by: Dee Prado | November 2, 2008 05:06 PM
I could not have agreed more! I was watching that episode. As soon as we saw the pigs, we all sat up straight in rage. Slowly, Izzie calmed us down. Not only did she stand up for animals, she was very educated in what she was saying. Hooray for Grey's Anatomy for shedding some light on the truth about vivisection.
Posted by: FishingHurts.com | November 3, 2008 12:24 AM
Kudos to Katherine Heigl and the writers of this episode!
Thank you!!!
Posted by: lynda downie | November 3, 2008 01:50 AM
I was so bummed when I saw two episodes of House M.D. (sort of) make fun of Vegans. Because while the underlying truth was there to see, anyone who wasn't vegan probably missed the message.
It's so cool when popular t.v. shows use their time to send a positive and educational message.
big props to the writers, and Katherine Heigl!
Posted by: Tom | November 3, 2008 08:58 AM
First, Grey's Anatamoy is a stupid show about nothing more than cheating, sex, dishonesty and selfish people. A nurse or doctor in real life wouldn't have that much time to belly ache about who they are sleeping with and committing adultry.
Second, you "heart" someone who is completely fake. It's a character. Not a real person. When you have footage showing a real doctor or intern doing this, lemme know. Does Katherine Heigle believe this as well? I will look up to real life people who change the world. Not some character off a mindless tv show.
Posted by: bbr | November 3, 2008 11:02 AM
I don't think the show was as fully "anti-animal use" as you think. Although Izzy refused to participate, the show strongly indicated (and some characters openly said) that working on the pigs taught Christina and the interns to be better surgeons. Although Christina hestitated to terminate the pigs, everyone, including the tenderhearted intern Lexi, told her to do it to be humane and acted like the pigs were dying for a greater good (training surgeons.) The doctor who disagreed with Izzy listed a bunch of examples of great medical advances that have come from animal testing. Although Izzy said that's not necessary because of technology, she never refuted the idea that using animals is sometimes good for humans. She only made part of an argument. I think the show was trying to "walk the line" and not offend anyone, and as a result, there was plenty of "pro-animal use" subtext.
Posted by: Abby | November 3, 2008 01:35 PM
While I didn't see the episode myself and am inclined to believe that they probably did as much harm as they did good, but...
I can only hope they didn't go the route of many other shows and movies and make the person advocating for fair treatment of animals seem like an incredibly crazy moron who sucks on tree bark for nutrients and won't eat things that cast a shadow.
Posted by: Tom | November 3, 2008 01:57 PM
" A nurse or doctor in real life wouldn't have that much time to belly ache about who they are sleeping with and committing adultry."
Apparently you have not worked in a hospital. Yes, they sure do do stuff like this.
You should be very afraid of some of the half wits and psychos who have medical degrees or are nurses. Too many nuts in those fields, hurting a lot of people
Posted by: kelly | November 3, 2008 04:05 PM
BBR,
There are plenty of real-life doctors who are against vivisection. "Sacred Cows and Golden Geese", by Drs. Ray and Jean Swingle Greek, is an excellent, fully referenced book that reveals the folly of vivisection.
Or Dr. Vernon Coleman of the UK:
"Dr. Coleman debated many times with vivisectors (including several television debates). He never lost a debate when the audience was asked to vote. Today vivisectors refuse to debate with him."
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | November 3, 2008 05:12 PM
kelly, do you think the nutso nurses and doctors (real or fake tv versions) cheat on their taxes?
Posted by: joanna | November 3, 2008 07:35 PM
Thanks for your post, Abby. Like Tom, I didn't see the show, just read about it here. I thought they were taking a more courageous, controversial stand.
I guess the best we can hope for is that 'Izzy' may empower some viewers to question and take a stand against animal testing.
Posted by: lynda downie | November 3, 2008 11:39 PM
Mike Quinoa: THANKS for the Dr. Vernon Coleman reference; a very interesting guy. His website includes easy to understand info. of the scientific FRAUD of vivisection is excellent! Activists: Please go to this site and download factsheets and staple them on telephone poles in your neighborhoods.
Posted by: Gerry | November 5, 2008 06:41 PM
I think the show was great and it helped animals. If only MORE shows could get the point across like this show did that night, it would help animals around the world!!! ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS!
Posted by: SASHA | November 6, 2008 12:07 AM
Thanks Gerry, he is a fascinating and ballsy guy. I should have posted this link:
http://www.vernoncoleman.com/animals.htm
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | November 6, 2008 10:57 AM
here is 1 more 4 ya, mrmcmed.org and pcrm.org
Posted by: indycar01 | November 12, 2008 12:54 PM
I am so sorry to hear about the dogs from the Ross University VET school. I am glad to hear that the woman involved in suing the school. I would like to say that I attend a medical teaching school, I am a graduate student doing research, not a medical student, but I have not heard of any stories like the one portrait on the show. I hope that nothing like that happens and if it does I am sure the school will end up paying through the teeth because proper and humane animal treatment is a priority in research according to government standards. In order to do animal research, we have to explain each procedure and its importance, we have to show how each animal will be treated and gently euthanized. Also there are tight guidelines regarding the number of animals one can use. You can only use the exact number of animals to get a statistical significance and you have to collect as much as you can from each animal so not to waste anything from these precious creatures. Animals have been such a valuable and life saving tool in science and I think it is a crime if they are ever mis-treated. But I do think, as a human who uses modern medicine, to acknowledge the advances to medicine made by the animals. Including, but not limited too:
Vaccines against:
Anthrax
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Diphtheria
Flu
Influenza B
Measles
Mumps
Polio
Rabies
Rubella
Smallpox
Tetanus
Whooping Cough
Yellow Fever
Medications:
Insulin
Penicillin
Streptomycin
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Pain Killers
Anticoagulants
Chemotherapy
Cyclosporine
Devices:
Artificial Heart
Pacemakers
Artificial Hip
Artificial Knee
Procedures:
Angioplasty
Organ Transplantation (including heart, liver, and kidney).
Just think of all the animal and human lives saved by the animals raised specifically for scientific research. I believe that research on animals is invaluable and that the contributions of these animals (the greatest sacrifice of all, their lives) should be on our minds when we partake in medicines and medical treatments advanced.
Posted by: Julie | November 21, 2008 02:00 PM
I hate to disapoint all of you, but I was reading the December issue of People, the one with Hugh Jackman as the sexiest man alive. Within it's pages there is a picture of dear Kathrine Heigl eating a Big Mac!
I wonder how you will all judge her now?
Posted by: Kurt K | December 8, 2008 04:06 PM