Question

Genentech, Inc., manufactured Protropin, a genetically engineered version of the human growth hormone. This drug’s purpose was to enhance the growth of short children. Protropin was an important product for Genentech, accounting for more than one-third of the company’s total revenue of $217 million. Although the drug was approved for the treatment of children whose bodies made inadequate quantities of growth hormone, many doctors prescribed it for children with normal amounts of growth hormone who simply happened to be short. There was no firm evidence that the drug actually increased growth for short children with normal growth hormone. Moreover, many people questioned whether it is appropriate to prescribe such a powerful drug for cosmetic reasons, especially when the drug might not work. Nor was there proof that it was safe over the long term. Was Genentech behaving ethically? Should it have discouraged doctors from prescribing the drug to normal, short children?

Answer 1

This is unethical behavior. The issue here is whether doctors should prescribe unneeded medications to children for cosmetic reasons where it may not even be effective. First, the side effects of such a drug are unknown. Second, cosmetic reasons do not justify prescribing the drug to children. It also encourages the idea that taller children are physically superior. Furthermore, many of these children are still growing and may grow taller naturally.

 

Ethically speaking, the doctors should not prescribe the drug.

Ethically speaking, the doctors should not prescribe the drug.