Terminally ill patients and new drugs
The US is considering allowing terminally ill patients to trial and use new drugs that have passed Phase I testing but are not yet approved for general use.
Obviously this engenders strong feelings on both parts - Is it ethical? Should terminally ill patients be allowed to choose? Will their illness prejudice any decisions they make?
An interesting article in two parts at www.bmj.com
Yes, says Emil J Freireich, patients with limited life expectancy should have the same privileges as all individuals in a free society and be able to judge risks for themselves.
No, says Dean Gesme, the allure of promising new drugs engenders false hope, and using experimental drugs outside trials will damage both individuals and science.
