The Weight of Sacrifice: A Cure in My Genes

Many times I have thought about the kind of thought that runs through the minds of people that have to sacrifice a lot for the benefit of the world. Were they looking for glory or just trying to save the world and make it a better place? The likes of the soldiers that have to go to battle to keep the sovereignty of the country alive, the likes that have to stand up against terrible people or leaders for the common man and have their lives forfeited because of their choice to speak up, or Jesus Christ, who was on the cross carrying the sin of the world and people still mocking him. Was it a hard choice or an easy choice?

Well, today is a good Monday and the Hivelearners have brought up a topic that would test our minds and our love for the world with the question:

"If hidden somewhere in your gene is a cure for cancer, but one that's not easily replicable so that the rest of the world will be able to benefit from such a cure,. Will you be willing to allow doctors and pharmaceutical giants to run tests on you trying to get the cure"?

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This is a difficult one because I wonder what the world has given me that I have to give so much. Will I be much appreciated? These are questions that run through my mind as I ponder this prompt question but then I remember this Michael Jackson song.

"Heal the world
Make it a better place.
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying.
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me.

This would be a hard choice because I would be cutting my life short for the betterment of the world and yes, I would. Here are some reasons.

First, I believe that life is bigger than me. If something within me holds the power to save millions of lives, then maybe I wasn’t just created for myself alone. Maybe my existence has a deeper meaning than I’ve always thought. Maybe my pain could become someone else’s healing, and that’s a kind of immortality that goes beyond fame or recognition.

Secondly, I think about the people who would live because I made that choice. The mother who will now watch her child grow. The young boy who will no longer have to say goodbye to his sister. The scientist who, inspired by my story, will go on to discover even more cures. There’s a ripple effect in sacrifice, one life touches another, and the world shifts, even if just a little.

Third, I hope that my sacrifice would not just be about the cure, but also about a change in how we see humanity. That we begin to value every person’s potential contribution, and we learn to protect, nurture, and appreciate the people around us while they are still here. Maybe my choice would be a reminder that love can still conquer fear, and giving can still be greater than taking.

So yes, even though it would be a hard decision, I would allow it. I would let the tests happen. Not because I think the world deserves me, but because I believe the world needs hope, and if my genes can give that, then I’ll gladly play my part.

So let me ask you too, dear reader, what would you do?

Thanks for reading, My name is fashtioluwa