As we discuss more issues in the medical field, one question always arises, who will pay for this? Either the process or the research. I read an article by Robert Klein called "A New Paradigm for Funding Medical Research" where he discusses the issue in funding received by the government. It is a foundation of instability due to its reliance on the country's economic cycle, one that shifts drastically over years. This causes negative effects on scientific findings. With the rise of globalization it can only be said that this is a consequence worth noting as the risks of epidemics as well as ethical concerns due to cultural exchange arise. Klein believes that the system of the current health care funding is broken and its reliance on the industrial capital system is not an adequate basis. Particularly a key ethical issue in the foundation of medical research that stood out to me was as Klein notes, "The industrial capital system values direct financial returns; it is not designed to capture the societal benefits of longer productive lives or reduced health care costs, nor is it structured to capture the benefits to individuals of healthier, more vibrant lives". This issue lies in the value we as a society place on research for medical advancements.
Klein continues, pitching different models and steps to avoid these tumultuous fluctuations. I will attach the link to this article below. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, both on the ethical issue that arises as well as what we can do about the instability in medical research.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3727685/
"The industrial capital system values direct financial returns; it is not designed to capture the societal benefits of longer productive lives or reduced health care costs, nor is it structured to capture the benefits to individuals of healthier, more vibrant lives" - in other words, the system is broken. But too many are benefiting from the status quo, to spur reform. Politics at its best confronts brokenness, but unfortunately our politics at present is broken too.
ReplyDeleteIf we do not pay for the medical research, then the next generation has the potential to do so with their lives. Donating to these causes prevents stagnation, science is about learning, medicine is about continuing to live and thrive.
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