Through A Narrow Chink: An Ethical Dilemma :: essays research papers

Through A Narrow Chink An Ethical dilemma     In 1951 Carl Djerassi, with the Mexican pharmaceutical company Syntex,developed the scratch ad-lib contraceptive by synthesizing and altering the naturalhormone Progesterone into a superpotent, exceedingly effective oral progestationalhormone called "norethindrone".     Admittedly, the dynamics and importance of this find were astounding,since before this the only means of contraception was abortion, and until now thatwas non legalized at the time.     The race to produce this synthetic agent was highly agonistical, beingsought after by many pharmaceuticals throughout the world, and for a smallfledgling company in Mexico of all places to find it first only added to theexcitement of the achievement.     Yet aside from all this excitement and competitive fervor somethingslap-up and disturbing was being bypassed. Science, in my view had through w ith(p) somethinggreat without looking into the possibilities of where this would lead.     I believe Djerassi, similar to most scientists of his day, was soentranced by the excitement of synthesizing his product and achieving his goalthat he did not stop to think of the ramifications of his accomplishment. Theethical dilemma was not explored before hand, and this to me is the greattragedy of most scientific discovery, since I firmly believe separately scientist isresponsible for that which he creates.Djerassi does confront a few questions of ethics and ethical motive after thefact.     On page 61, in chapter 6, he reflects on the pipeline of the use of inadequateMexican and Puertorrican women for preliminary experiments. Is this justanother verbal expression of exploitation of the poor?     Djerassi says absolutely not.     Yes, the poor our the initial guinea pigs for look for but this is nodiffere nt from what dentists, barbers, and young surgeons do. All of thesegroups use the poor to hone their skills, not because of the poor womensignorance but because middle class, suburbanite, white women are unlikely tovolunteer their services for the sake of science.     My main problem with this is that he claims they will not "volunteer"their services. Of course not, they are aware of the contingent detrimentaleffects of such experimentation. This is obviously because they are probably more highly educated the poor Hispanic women. Poverty often precludes a lackof good schooling and education. Thus the awareness of such a group toscientific studies will most likely be often lower. They probably knew nothingof scientific research at all, let alone how to read a consent form that leavesthem without legal recourse.     Djerassi mentions this as well, the idea that he can not offer themconsent forms because they cant read.  &nbs p  That seems preposterous to me     If he can not inform his patients of the possible side effects past what