Approval of race-based drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA has given rise to a new debate that where this move of race-based drugs would lead to. The debate was triggered by Bidil – a racial based drug.
Among this debate over race-based drugs, we come across paradoxical views; some supporting the research works, in action to develop race-based drugs while some opposed this move quite bitterly. In this series, those who oppose focusing energy on the development of such drugs, which are mainly tailored by keeping in view a particular race, say that this move would ultimately give rise to racial discrimination.
On the other end, those who favor the development of race-based drugs, vehemently state that orthodox views like racial discrimination should not be allowed to halt this significant development.
However, as far as my opinion is concerned about the whole concept, I would just say that no doubt, this study is very significant, which may allow researchers to focus all their energies to target the sufferings of a particular gene but at the same time I do have one fear that what would happen if this development turns out lop-sided, means confined to a particular section or race of the society. In addition, unfortunately, if this happens then won’t it help racial discrimination to rejuvenate once again? In this regard, I fully agree with the views, expressed by Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, a medical anthropologist at Stanford University. She says:
I think we should ask researchers why they are including race when they do it. Race is often described as merely a first step on the road towards individualized therapies–a way station.
Another important thing that she pointed out, ‘Bidil approval is just one example of how genetic research is shaping society’s perception of race.’
I think suspicions that have come up to the surface, no doubt have a solid base but at the same time, we must not forget that these race-based drugs have come out because they were beneficial just for a particular race and not to the others. However, now the question is, do experts have an alternative solution to suppress the growth of race-based drugs and cater to diseases.
Apparently, the answer lies in the debate itself. The so called race-based drugs are strongly based on research that clears that every individual have a different body type and carries a different capacity to handle drugs prescribed for a particular disease. And if, keeping in mind the genetic code of an individual, a drug is tailor made then why this debate?
Image credit: Public Radio
Via: Technology Review