Racism in medicine?

Question

This is a question I was left with after watching an episode of House. Foreman was treating an old black man. I forget what the condition was, but there were two possible medications for it. Number one was the regular medication, and number two was shown to be more effective than the first for black patients. Foreman prescribes number two since it is the better choice in this case, but the patient says he doesn't want a racist drug. Foreman does a song and dance and gets the guys to go home with the prescription for number two. A little while later, the patient comes back and this time sees House. This time, he refuses the 'racist drug' and demands number one. After a short fight, House gives in. However, when confronted later, he reveals that he lied to the patient and actually prescribed the racist one.

Most people concerned with racism would say this is wrong, but what would the right move be? Insist on the racist one and refuse anything else, or consent and give the regular one?

Answer 1

It is stupid, plain and simple. That would be like insisting on fish medicine because it works a little bit, instead of that nasty racist human medicine.

Answer 2

There is a blood pressure medicine that has been formulated that works specifically on blacks. The reason that the medicine is race specific is not very well known. It was not made that way it just sort of happened. To not take it because it is race specific in it's helpfulness is really ridiculous. I don't know that anyone with any understanding of their medical condition would refuse a medication because it is racist. That is a television story and is just one more way for the media to interject racism into a story line.

Answer 3

In this case it has nothing to do with racism. It is there are different genealogical attributes between races. For example the Irish and native Americans have a different liver trait than the majority of the races in the world. It has more to do the choices made geologically made by our ancient ancestors than personal discrimination.We all still came from the base of gene pool. All of us originated in Africa. Universally we are all one. it is the petty self righteousness of man/men that the need to be right and control due to fear has evolved into this illness of a species called racism.

Answer 4

you take the meds which will help you the most...it's true some sickness are more pronounced in certain races but that doesnt mean they're the only ones who have them...the patient was stupid