Presentation - Ruqaiijah Yearby

Presentation - Ruqaiijah Yearby

 

Before the conference I reviewed several abstracts and papers, and found four key themes and directives that connect all the various topics being discussed at this year's conference. 

  • The limitations of science;
  • The need to ground our discussion in history while recognizing the evolving nature of our society;
  • The need for social justice;
  • And the lack of viable options to address violations of social justice/human rights in the name of science.

I will briefly discuss these themes and suggest some directives.

I. Science

Science cannot cure all of our ills.  Science has the potential to improve the human existence, not to replace it.  Thus, the goals of science must be secondary to the objectives of society, not superior.  Finally, developments in science can not be synonymous with the criminal justice system.  Scientific endeavors such as biobanking originally lobbied for as a means to treat disease, now are used as criminal investigation warehouses.

II. History and Evolution

The objectives and methods of science have not changed, just the technology.  Meaning that science remains governed by utilitarianism, with the promise of a population benefit. The promised benefit may change, but the real question remains is the promise ever realized? If there is a benefit realized it usually does not inure to those who bore the the burden, which is unjust.  The Henrietta Lacks case is a perfect example where her cells have made billions of dollars for researchers, pharmaceutical co., and many others, but her descendants remain poor and lack access to health care.  Thus, they have not received any benefits from the research while bearing the burdens.  Is this unjust? It depends on what justice means now?

III. Social Justice

In the past, Justice meant fairness and protecting those who were vulnerable from exploitation.  This definition has been replaced by fair opportunity and inclusion.  Consequently, justice is when society provides the most vulnerable with a fair opportunity to be included in research that has the potential to help a society in which the vulnerable are denied citizenship.  An example, is outsourcing medical research to developing countries who will not be able to afford the new drug and whose genetic information will be used to get a patent that provides money to the US and other developed markets; countries who will deny these research subjects citizenship.

IV. Law

What are the laws that govern us and do they provided protection?  Yesterday, many presenters discussed the fact that the laws of protection in the US and abroad were often illusory or not binding.  Thus, the question becomes whether law is the right platform for addressing these issues.  For example, neither state informed consent laws, nor the 4th Amend, which prohibits illegal searches and seizures, prevent the unauthorized collection of your genetic material for research or criminal databases. 

Thus, many question whether we need need to be governed by values and principles, even if they are not static, custom, or binding.  For example, should we be governed by human rights principles, the 4 bioethical principles, or by the theories of public health?

V. Directives:

We must harness science to improve lives not to further our need for greatness, fulfill our intellectual curiosity, or make money.

Those using science for their own gains use the language of social justice to manipulate and exploit the vulnerable.  Therefore, be careful when using language that says we are doing what is in the best interest of the public.

We need to interrogate the current relationship between the state and population groups and work to increase the power/voice groups have in making laws and policy that governs science.  Finally, clearly define and discuss what are the privacy and/or property rights of an individual.