Under The Microscope

ETHICAL ISSUES IN DRUG RESEARCH: Through a glass darkly, by M.J. Parnham, IOS Press, Amsterdam, 1996; 165 pages; ISBN 90 5199 279 3; US$70

Although the topic of this book is nominally about ethical issues as related to drug research, it could just as easily have been entitled, "Why I think Christianity should be used as the basis of all our decisions". Parnham appears to indeed be well versed in the details of drug research, and some of his comments about how and why the drug companies choose the types of research they do is very interesting. He attempts valiantly to come to grips with the basic monetary justification of drug research, since no drug company is going to make drugs that are uneconomic regardless of their ethical beliefs.

However, Parnham does not appear to be well acquainted with ethical philosophy. Amongst other arguments he journeys down the path of examining utilitarianism, but ends up condemning it for not addressing the issue of motive. He argues that motive needs to be addressed, or else the reasons for researching a drug will not be convincing, and since motives are greatly "influenced by ethical codes or belief systems" it is thus necessary that you use an ethical system that can be accepted as a motive by the majority.

He then claims that the Judaeo-Christian tradition is the best one for the job of providing a motive, without any further critical examination. He does admit that a drug has also to be not only well motivated but useful as well. In all I found it very tough going, partly because it appears from his use of English that it is not Parnham's first language, but also due to being bludgeoned by its role as a religious tract.

Stephen Rennell has a BSc in philosophy.

Stephen Rennell has a BSc in philosophy.