The Mockingjay: A Creature the Capitol Never Intended to Exist

Bioethics makes an appearance in this novel, though not many take the time to think about its inclusion. The Capitol has many scientific advantages in this futuristic setting. They created the Jabberjay, a bird “that repeat[s] what [it] hear[s] people say, similarly to parrots “(Cook, Keller, & Myer 32). The Jabberjay was used as a spy to try and pick up on rebels’ plans to take down the Capitol. “The rebels caught on and started feeding the Jabberjays false information. That led authorities to abandon the Jabberjays in the wild, hoping they would die off” (Cook, Keller, & Myer 32). However, this plan went awry. The Jabberjays ended up mating with mockingbirds. Combining the talents of both birds, the Mockingjay (as their offspring are called) is able to listen to tunes and repeat them back. “The inability of the government to control these animals made them a symbol for the rebellion” (Cook, Keller, & Myer 32). Hence, why Katniss becomes Panem’s “Mockingjay.”

This can spark a debate in the real world. “Should hybrid species be regulated? What are the possible effects of hybrids mating with native species?” (Cook, Keller & Myer 35)

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Discover more about this issue at Bioethics.net.




Source:

Cook, K., Keller, D., & Myers, A. (2014). BIOETHICS IN THE HUNGER GAMES. Science Teacher, 81(1), 31-37. Retrieved from http://navigator-clarion.passhe.edu/login url=http://search.ebscohost.com/ login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=93387028&site=ehost-live&scope=site