Contractarianism

Thinking about this society from behind a veil of ignorance, I believe I would rather live in a society that did not have a cure for cancer, or at least not that medicinal cure that poses the threat of DGD. Due to the nature of self-harming and homicidal symptoms of DGD, a society that chooses the cure would not be able to overlook the harm people with DGD would pose to themselves or others. Therefore, there would have to be unfair laws that result in discrimination against those who end up with DGD. Suppose there were no these rules/laws, such as a special diet, wearing the medical DGD ID not to receive the wrong drugs, and being in a DGD institution or facility. In that case, society may end up out of control with people with gruesome injuries to themselves and, most likely, homicides. I would imagine that if DGD were genuine in our current society, there would be forced sterilization, prejudice, and discrimination. I do not believe people would be given a choice in their care and be forced to quarantine DGD sufferers.

Although cancer is an evil disease that kills way too many people and causes horrific symptoms, the symptoms are not like those depicted in this story with DGD individuals. I would rather live in a society where there was no cure introduced. In this society, under a veil of ignorance, everyone would have access to medical care and treatments for cancer and any other medical need. I would imagine that there would still be a discrepancy between the quality of care between the wealthy and those that are not; however, giving everyone access would maximize the minimum. In this society, people would not be marked by cancer any more than they are now in our current society. While we can sometimes assume one has cancer by a bald head or hair loss, pale and fragile stature, it is not a scarlet letter like people with DGD have in the story. Often, we as the public assume one has cancer, but a person may be bald or look pale and frail for many medical reasons; therefore, they are not pointed out in public and avoided like those with DGD would be. Not to mention, most people are not afraid they will be brutally harmed by someone with cancer, whereas they may be around those who have DGD.

I agree that if a society with DGD did exist as it did in the story, people like Lynn would most likely reconcile themselves to the fact that she is one of few DGD that can be helpful and comforting to those with more severe cases of DGD. While she did not ask for DGD or the rare pheromones, she may feel more relaxed or comfortable being an employee of one of the desirable social institutions. She would find herself being excepted and not discriminated against. She would be at another type of employer outside the institution if she were even allowed to be employed where she wanted. Walking on eggshells in a society that looks at you as if you are poisonous would be more harmful to your soul and mental health than accepting the knowledge that you could be helpful in a place where you would be accepted as you are.