Ethics, Medical Research, and Medicine

The authors of this book critically examine the poverty of medical ethics. They argue against spending almost unlimited amounts of money on medical treatment, and explore the serious biases in the way that medical research is conducted. In particular, they document how commercialization of research, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, leads to seriously distorted information being disseminated to physicians. The authors illustrate these problems using four examples: statin drugs, screening for breast and prostate cancer, genetic diagnosis and therapy, and the Swan ganz catheter. The book contrasts the greatly exaggerated merits of these medical practices with the clear advantages of a prevention approach. The book makes radical proposals for reforming these problems. It should be essential for those interested in medical ethics, health policy, health economics, and medicine.