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

Through A Narrow Chink An Ethical Dilemma     In 1951 Carl Djerassi, with the Mexican pharmaceutic company Syntex,developed the first oral contraceptive by synthesizing and altering the naturalhormone Progesterone into a superpotent, highly effective oral progestationalhormone called "norethindrone".     Admittedly, the dynamics and importance of this arrest were astounding,since before this the only means of contraception was abortion, and even thatwas non legalized at the time.     The race to produce this synthetic substance agent was highly competitive, 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 somethinggreat and disturbing was being bypassed. Science, in my view had through with(p) som ethinggreat 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 apprehension 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 each scientist isresponsible for that which he creates.Djerassi does confront a few questions of ethics and morality after thefact.     On page 61, in chapter 6, he reflects on the argument of the use of poorMexican and Puertorrican women for preliminary experiments. Is this justanother manifestation of exploitation of the poor?     Djerassi says absolutely not.     Yes, the poor our the initial guinea pigs for research but this is nodifferent from what dentists, barbe rs, and schoolboyish 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 important problem with this is that he claims they will not "volunteer"their services. Of course not, they are aware of the possible detrimentaleffects of such experimentation. This is obviously because they are likelymore 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 much 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.     That seems p reposterous to me     If he can not inform his patients of the possible side effects then what