Biomedical Research Presentation

We face enormous challenges talking about the problematic aspects of biomedical/biotech research and oversight/policy responses at a historical moment when 1) evidence of harms and potential harms of research are downplayed or ignored; 2) utopian technological fixes to complex health and environmental problems are promoted and celebrated; 3) research funders continue to support narrow research programs/agendas that have minimal impact on the real and immediate health needs of individuals and their families; and 4) consumer/patient groups, medical institutions, elected officials, and the biotech industry are intertwined in politically successful and financially lucrative partnerships and networks.

Possible response to these challenges: 1) grass-roots organizing with allies from a wide spectrum of advocacy groups, professional and academic disciplines, and political leaders; 2) evidence-based analysis of problematic aspects of biomedical/biotech research; 3) political/advocacy strategy to monitor and publicly challenge problematic policies/programs/discourse.