The Lyme Disease Controversies

Presenter Information

Tonia DeVries

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Room 301

Start Date

15-5-2014

End Date

15-5-2014

Keywords

Philosophy, Ethics, Lyme disease.

Abstract

The Lyme disease controversies have sequestered conflicting audiences throughout the medical, political, scientific, financial, and environmental communities for more than two decades. This presentation speaks to the moral obligations owed society in the face of scientific uncertainty concerning our current state of health. It asks the reader to consider whether national health trumps other causes or whether priority be given to big business and big pharma. Should the boundaries of scientific evidence in present-day medicine be reevaluated? Is there a disconnect between national policies when several government agencies are involved? This paper asks if long-term antibiotics are inherently dangerous for human consumption or if they are only hazardous in light of factory farming. Should medical consultants be allowed to create guidelines which are perceived to insure financial success from products and services? All of these controversies have culminated into a perfect storm in connection to chronic Lyme disease and its patients. Additionally, in the midst of these battles, research has essentially halted. This presentation will argue for immediate and exponentially intensified financial underwriting by the government for the necessary research to answer these moral dilemmas.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Altman, Matt

Additional Mentoring Department

Philosophy and Religious Studies

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May 15th, 2:40 PM May 15th, 3:00 PM

The Lyme Disease Controversies

SURC Room 301

The Lyme disease controversies have sequestered conflicting audiences throughout the medical, political, scientific, financial, and environmental communities for more than two decades. This presentation speaks to the moral obligations owed society in the face of scientific uncertainty concerning our current state of health. It asks the reader to consider whether national health trumps other causes or whether priority be given to big business and big pharma. Should the boundaries of scientific evidence in present-day medicine be reevaluated? Is there a disconnect between national policies when several government agencies are involved? This paper asks if long-term antibiotics are inherently dangerous for human consumption or if they are only hazardous in light of factory farming. Should medical consultants be allowed to create guidelines which are perceived to insure financial success from products and services? All of these controversies have culminated into a perfect storm in connection to chronic Lyme disease and its patients. Additionally, in the midst of these battles, research has essentially halted. This presentation will argue for immediate and exponentially intensified financial underwriting by the government for the necessary research to answer these moral dilemmas.