Endorphins and ethics
Ellenwood, S.; Wilson, R.W.
Ethics in Science and Medicine 7(3-4): 159-160
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0306-4581 PMID: 11661901 Document Number: 159967
Recent discoveries of naturally occurring pain-relievers and other psycho-active chemicals will inevitably lead to ethical problems surrounding their use. Several facets were proposed on which ethical discussions can be focused: a spectrum of conditions where these agents may be prescribed to patients as medication of choice; the distinction between prevention of harm and production of benefit; and intervention that treats the symptom vs. controls the cause.