Posted by SLS on September 25, 2001, at 0:50:19
In reply to Re: the crux of the issue?, posted by Dr. Bob on September 24, 2001, at 21:12:27
Dear Dr. Bob,
The crux of the issue as I see it is whether or not to allow the posting of messages within which someone has *recommended* to someone else:
1. that they initiate a change in their treatment regime outside the milieu of the doctor-patient relationship, regardless of legal issues.
2. that they take a drug that is not approved by the FDA.
3. a source from which one may procure FDA-approved medications without the requirement of a prescription.
4. a source from which one may procure medications that have not been approved by the FDA, with or without a prescription.
5. a course of action that is known to medicine as being injurious.
Just so that nobody busts my chops just yet, I am neither advocating nor remonstrating a specific course of action or philosophical judgment here.
Dr. Bob, you have the power of the password, so as I see it, you are to be the one to make these judgments. I guess you have a few important decisions to make, even if it is your decision to do nothing. The crux of the issue is whether or not a line should be drawn separating that which one may and may not recommend to another or provide as information, and to use this criteria to allow or disallow individual posts. That's what we are talking about here, right?If I were in your position, I would make the very first thing I do tomorrow when I wake up in the morning be the obtaining of legal council to make determinations as to your (institution's) liability in providing this forum as it currently exists, and what specific events, should there be any, expose you to criminal or civil prosecutions. Once that is done, the remaining issues are largely altruistic and logistical in nature.
Regarding the statement, "This certainly implies that illegality is a sufficient reason not to do this", I was offering my own sentiments as it related to the moral and philosophical justifications for, or desirability of, restricting or discouraging a specific speech. Being in such a position that I have no guarantees that any combination of FDA-approved drugs will relieve me of pain and functional impairment, I can't help but to own the perspective that that the status of a medical alternative be illegal is not sufficient for me not to suggest it to others or pursue it myself.
I hope this clarifies my intent.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:2069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/2124.html