Consent in Science - Valuable Lessons from Splice
By: Sara
The Vincenzo Natali directed Splice, released in 2009, is very much similar to a 1990s experiment and is most probably inspired by it as well. Just like it is shown in Splice, scientists carried out an experiment in the 1990s and they found out that a mouse had grown a human ear - something they had not been looking forward to. Strange, no?
While many of us do not know enough about scientific stuff, we should never rule out the possibility that what is shown in a sci-fi movie might have a traceable similar experiment done in the past or may end up becoming a reality in the future. We had not thought about that slate thingy that was frequently used in Star Trek. But we all use tablet PCs today.
This blog, however, is not about how things that are shown in the movies have happened before or might happen in the future. Sex change - as shown in Splice - is very much real and can happen but, if you have seen the movie, the entire Dren experiment was carried out in private. Those who funded were never made aware of the experiment which is absolutely unethical. Through this blog, I will dissect when and where consent was discarded just like a used tissue paper.
However, no matter how disgusting that whole part was, there was yet again a great lesson about scientific ethics. The company orders both Elsa and Clive to not carry out an experiment as it requires human DNA; however, they both go for it. The catch is that the DNA used by Elsa in producing the hybrid - Dren - was none other than Elsa’s own blood. Although Clive and Elsa work on the experiment together as a team, Elsa does not tell Clive about this mishap that leads to Clive developing feelings for Dren. If Elsa were to use human DNA, she could have discussed it with Clive and informed him first. This created differences between the two genetic engineers. While working as a team or doing research as partners, it is absolutely important that the decision being taken is mutual - no matter how unethical.
Although Dren seems to have been growing faster and Clive and Elsa treat her like their own child but because Elsa uses her DNA in Dren’s scientific experimentation, she starts developing these feelings for Clive. However, she is underage and someone who is not supposed to be involved in any sort of physical activity with the opposite sex and especially Clive. Here, although it does not seem a big deal there can be a consent issue given Dren’s age, her position, and her status. Clive was never supposed to indulge in a sexual act with Dren.
When Elsa and Clive find out that Clive’s brother now knows about their secret experiment whose result is Dren, they instantly shift Dren to a different place suggested by Elsa. Here, Elsa and Clive do not seek Dren’s consent. Dren clearly seems unhappy with the decision yet she – as a subject – is moved to a different place without her consent. Moreover, by the end of the movie, Elsa is seen cutting Dren’s tail because of the stinger in her tail. That was also a complete breach of Dren’s rights and consent.
Informed consent is not only limited to scientists or the pharma companies that are funding research or a project; people who participate in clinical trials do need informed consent. If for some reason, they don’t give informed consent, the people who are carrying out the research can not force them. One such blunder regarding informed consent took place in the USA in 2007. A woman Jolee Mohr, 36, had participated in a phase ½ gene therapy trial and for her arthritis. Mohr received the second round of treatment and died due to multiple organ failure 22 days later. While the researchers said that she had undertaken all the conditions and was informed about all the risks beforehand, her husband denied it all. He claimed that she had not been informed about a lot of risks and filed a lawsuit against the company and the researchers.
Sims also wrote in his books and experiments that the women had shouted and screamed for the operations to relieve their discomfort but whether they consented or not was captured in any other historical record.
The fact that women shouted and were not even applied anesthesia implies that they perhaps never consented. Moreover, given that black enslaved women and men were not considered humans back then, it can be strongly implied that the experiments that took place were not consensual.
References:
https://www.nature.com/articles/nm0907-999
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-10683732
https://www.history.com/news/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slaves
The Vincenzo Natali directed Splice, released in 2009, is very much similar to a 1990s experiment and is most probably inspired by it as well. Just like it is shown in Splice, scientists carried out an experiment in the 1990s and they found out that a mouse had grown a human ear - something they had not been looking forward to. Strange, no?
While many of us do not know enough about scientific stuff, we should never rule out the possibility that what is shown in a sci-fi movie might have a traceable similar experiment done in the past or may end up becoming a reality in the future. We had not thought about that slate thingy that was frequently used in Star Trek. But we all use tablet PCs today.
This blog, however, is not about how things that are shown in the movies have happened before or might happen in the future. Sex change - as shown in Splice - is very much real and can happen but, if you have seen the movie, the entire Dren experiment was carried out in private. Those who funded were never made aware of the experiment which is absolutely unethical. Through this blog, I will dissect when and where consent was discarded just like a used tissue paper.
Keeping Up With The Instructions
Consent is defined as “the process through which a researcher obtains, as well as maintains, the permission of a person or a person's authorized representative to participate in a research study”. In the movie, Adrien Brody (Clive Nicoli) and Sarah Polley (Elsa Kast) serve as genetic engineers specializing in splicing DNA from different animals and creating something new called hybrids. The company that is funding them asks them to stop the experiment but they go with it anyway.Elsa’s DNA Is Unacceptable
The movie - splice - goes all haywire by the end of it. It was an awful movie - visuals wise - but it became even more disgusting and intense in the ending. Things start to make you nauseous when Clive starts building these feelings for Dren. This might be where many of you must have thought to shut your laptops, grab the popcorn, and watch something that is digestible.However, no matter how disgusting that whole part was, there was yet again a great lesson about scientific ethics. The company orders both Elsa and Clive to not carry out an experiment as it requires human DNA; however, they both go for it. The catch is that the DNA used by Elsa in producing the hybrid - Dren - was none other than Elsa’s own blood. Although Clive and Elsa work on the experiment together as a team, Elsa does not tell Clive about this mishap that leads to Clive developing feelings for Dren. If Elsa were to use human DNA, she could have discussed it with Clive and informed him first. This created differences between the two genetic engineers. While working as a team or doing research as partners, it is absolutely important that the decision being taken is mutual - no matter how unethical.
Getting Physical with the Under-age Dren
Although Dren seems to have been growing faster and Clive and Elsa treat her like their own child but because Elsa uses her DNA in Dren’s scientific experimentation, she starts developing these feelings for Clive. However, she is underage and someone who is not supposed to be involved in any sort of physical activity with the opposite sex and especially Clive. Here, although it does not seem a big deal there can be a consent issue given Dren’s age, her position, and her status. Clive was never supposed to indulge in a sexual act with Dren.
Unethical Behavior and Negligence towards Dren
When Elsa and Clive find out that Clive’s brother now knows about their secret experiment whose result is Dren, they instantly shift Dren to a different place suggested by Elsa. Here, Elsa and Clive do not seek Dren’s consent. Dren clearly seems unhappy with the decision yet she – as a subject – is moved to a different place without her consent. Moreover, by the end of the movie, Elsa is seen cutting Dren’s tail because of the stinger in her tail. That was also a complete breach of Dren’s rights and consent.
Does Breach of Consent Take Place in Real Life?
Informed consent is not only limited to scientists or the pharma companies that are funding research or a project; people who participate in clinical trials do need informed consent. If for some reason, they don’t give informed consent, the people who are carrying out the research can not force them. One such blunder regarding informed consent took place in the USA in 2007. A woman Jolee Mohr, 36, had participated in a phase ½ gene therapy trial and for her arthritis. Mohr received the second round of treatment and died due to multiple organ failure 22 days later. While the researchers said that she had undertaken all the conditions and was informed about all the risks beforehand, her husband denied it all. He claimed that she had not been informed about a lot of risks and filed a lawsuit against the company and the researchers.
Father of Gynecology
James Marion Sims – known as the father of Gynecology – performed some heart-wrenching, morally and ethically preposterous experiments on black women slaves without informing them of the risks associated with the experimentation, the side effects, or anything. In fact, according to his research, he performed dissection without informed consent and anesthesia on enslaved black women. One can only imagine the excruciating pain the subjects must have gone through without even wanting to.Sims also wrote in his books and experiments that the women had shouted and screamed for the operations to relieve their discomfort but whether they consented or not was captured in any other historical record.
The fact that women shouted and were not even applied anesthesia implies that they perhaps never consented. Moreover, given that black enslaved women and men were not considered humans back then, it can be strongly implied that the experiments that took place were not consensual.
Conclusion
In conclusion, informed consent is of utter importance when it comes to carrying out scientific researches that usually have innumerable risks. There are different laws in different countries about ethical research and informed consent. The disobeying of these laws also have grave punishments by the respective states. So, remember, when you go out and participate in a clinical trial, make sure you are aware of all the risks, merits, and demerits. Happy splicing!References:
https://www.nature.com/articles/nm0907-999
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-10683732
https://www.history.com/news/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slaves
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