Name: Grezel Brian P. Labos
GEC 108
Question: How could ethics in science have prevented either of the two instances from
happening?
In an ever-evolving society development in science is necessary to elevate the
living condition of humans. Development without morality can cause harm and disorder.
In the case of Thalidomide, the drug was considered a tranquilizer or a calming drug. It
was used by pregnant women to alleviate the sickness that they suffer. The only problem
with the drug is, that it doesn’t undergo a series of tests to truly verify its effectiveness
and to identify if it has a side effect on the human condition, but still, it has its license to
be distributed. And too late to know that it causes impairments to children when taken in
early pregnancy.
Creating a drug or medicine that will be widely used is very crucial especially if the
life of innocent people is at stake. Pharmaceutical scientists should be ethical and
visionary about the outcomes of their creation. Having multiple tests of the drug before it
is made available to the public is necessary. They should be honest about the results and
should not cover it up. They should also be open to everyone, to fasten the process of
creating solutions if certain problem arises. Carefulness is necessary in their field as the
whole wide world relies on their contribution to the field of medicine. Incorporating ethics
at work creates a more valuable product and not a worthy product. A medicine that treats
illness and not a medicine of profit.
Ethics in science, solidify the development processes. A humane product must be
valued and not the value the product brings. In the process of creation, there always be
destruction. But with ethics, our goal will be aligned with what is more beneficial to
everyone (utilitarian ethics). And it is “to cure, to care, and to comfort” (adapted from
Singh).