Chemotherapy : Treatment Experimentation or Illusion? : a Study into the Bioethics of Chemotherapy

The use of cytotoxic drugs, Chemotherapy, is considered by many a valid modality in the treatment of cancer. The use of this modality in the 1950's and 1960's led to considerable success in the treatment of a number of incurable and quickly lethal rare cancers. This gave rise in the 1970's to a high expectation that Chemotherapy would provide a much needed breakthrough in the search for a cure for cancer. This optimism has led to a significant extension of the modality beyond the above known limits of successful use and created a climate which strongly supports this experimental application, although a small but increasing number of voices now challenge the legitimacy of this belief. This research explores a number of ethical issues which now arise from the continued use of this treatment modality. The discussion will center on three issues. These will be, firstly, the integrity of the treatment modality, secondly, the concerns about the experience of Chemotherapy on the individual and their family, and thirdly, the concerns involved in the public presentation of Chemotherapy and the lack of public debate. As a basis for understanding the ethical concepts used in this study into the Bioethics of Chemotherapy, a broad background of information on the relevant aspects of Normative Ethics is provided, at the beginning of this discussion. A study of the newspaper reporting of Chemotherapy is included to extend the discussion of the third issue, that of the public presentation of Chemotherapy.In conclusion, an open ended, four step plan for action is recommended