Introduction

It has been questioned by people, honored by people and revered since the beginning of time. Yet even today not one person can say what is morally right. It is a matter of opinion. It was Dr.Victor Frankenstein's opinion that it was alright to create a 'monster'. Frankenstein's creation needed a companion. Knowing that his first creation was evil should the doctor make a second? With the knowledge at hand, to Dr.Frankenstein, it is not at all morally correct to bring another monster into the world.

Mental Retardation

In the ancient times, the mentally ill were treated in a more private matter. Often it was believed that they were under the influence of evil spirits or demons. They would be cast out of their own communities leaving them vulnerable to wild bests, storms, starvation, and so on. The Eskimos would send the crippled, deformed, defective, and mentally ill on ice flows in order for them to die of starvation and exposure to the weather. The Egyptians would help treat the mentally by housing them in hospitals were they could continue in activities and clothe making. The doctors would care for them by speaking to them about their problems. The Greeks also showed compassion for the mentally ill by building special temples to care for them by priest and workers. Romans were also known to treat the mentally ill with respect and kindness. A great physician known as Caelius Aurelianus, abolished beating and tying them up but encouraged the use of therapeutic baths also known as hydrotherapy for the mentally ill.

In 1547 they opened an insane asylum called St. Mary's of Bethlehem. This asylum was no better then a prison and for a fee on Sundays, people could go view the inmates. All they had in their rooms were straw mats and most of them were chained to the walls. They were fastened in straight jackets and metal cuffs. This went on until Dr. Pinel and Dr. Tukes of England, realized that this was an illness or sickness of the mind. Pinel was given credit for the removing of the chains in 1790. Sadly though, in other countries there are still some who are fighting for their rights.

As years went on, treatment for the mentally ill got better. People with mental illness could stay at home but if they became a hazard they would be sent to the insane asylum. In the early 1800's, organizations were formed to help them. Many scientists at the time believed that mental illness was caused by biological explanations. Scientists thought that specific mental problems came from injuries in parts of the brain. Other scientists speculated that certain people were born with brains that were more likely to develop mental illness. Now they get treatment, rehabilitation, and protection.

There are three different stages of the mentally challenged. The first, the mildly retard which are people who are capable of academic learning but they learn slowly. These individuals do not have to be hospitalized because they are capable of living on ...