Science and Ethics/La science et l'éthique

Patrick Colgan is Director of Research and Natural Lands at the Royal
Botanical Gardens.

This bilingual volume focuses largely on medicine and ethics, with six
stimulating contributions from leaders in their fields. Bernard Dickens
examines research on human subjects historically in the tradition from
the 1947 Nuremberg Code and topically in terms of such issues as human
embryos, placebo effects, and patient welfare. He thoughtfully also
considers ambivalent cases such as the use of scarce drugs and the
precautionary principle. Marie-Helene Parizeau usefully scrutinizes the
role of research ethics committees in the context of increasingly
entrepreneurial research, including the report of the three federal
granting councils, renewal of ethical standards, and links to the
international setting. (The controversial intensity is well illustrated
by the publication difficulties of Parizeau’s own paper.) Michael
McDonald writes as chair of a report on research on human subjects by
the Law Commission of Canada. The disturbing conclusions of the report,
and the major reforms needed, are excellently summarized within the
framework of Canadian debates on policy. Particularly important is his
observation that no “invisible hand” protects research subjects.
Michael Geist reviews the complexities of the huge technological
challenges to copyright law, including aspects due to international
trade. He points to a future in which law is not powerless but
innovation must not be chilled.

Therese Leroux laudably explores the costs and benefits of
xenotransplantation with such matters as zoonotic diseases, personal
autonomy, and social responsibility. Zestfully addressing major health
issues under “British beef, Ontario water, and dead crows,” Colleen
Clements infers ethical concepts such as risk assessment, expert
standards, and natural balance. It is a pity that space limited
development of her contention that “postmodern bioethics is irrational
and unworkable and needs to be replaced.” Together the six chapters
make for informative and provocative reading, highlighting key concerns
such as patient welfare. It is reassuring to see a volume of this
quality from our Royal Society. Highly recommended.