4 ms·
Unfortunately, while human trials might in some perfect world be a workable idea, under capitalism we have a perpetual underclass of people who are kept at wage
by sep_field 6y ago
Unfortunately, while human trials might in some perfect world be a workable idea, under capitalism we have a perpetual underclass of people who are kept at wages low enough that they would be willing to do almost anything to get a bit more money. So paying people to sacrifice their health turns into another form of abuse that poor people will endure.
- rowanG077 6y agoThis is true. There are no clean solutions.
- nine_k 6y agoOK, let's require a proof of income above the national average from the applicants. Any better now? "It sucks to be poor; you can't even sell a piece of your health for a greater good of humankind and some good money. Only the rich folks are entitled to that."
- sep_field 6y agoThe quotation raises an interesting point about equality. Maybe it'd be better to make there be no payment at all, then anyone who wants to participate _purely out of concern for the greater good and for no other reason_ would get an equal chance, and there wouldn't be perverse incentives then.
- Aicy 6y agoHow many people are going to volunteer to consume potentially dangerous substances for free?
- sep_field 6y agoWe could require that corporate executives trial the substances as part of the approval process for new materials...
- Red_Leaves_Flyy 6y agoProbably the most ethically sound solution. My perception of reality suggests that entire multinationals would flee any country that even murmured about such things.
- sep_field 6y agoI think you are right! And good riddance :)
- tweetle_beetle 6y agoNot exactly the same, but as a current example there have been no problems finding volunteers for the new challenge trials for covid vaccines. Some people find genuine pleasure from helping the greater good.