If you had a friend with terminal cancer, how would you handle this ethical dilemma?

Question

Her American doctors say there's nothing more they can do for her, but she's heard of a Mexican herbal remedy that has given good results. It's illegal in the US, and her doctor says there's not much hope it will help. She asks you to get some for her and mail it to her, since you live in San Diego and she lives in the midwest. She sends you a check for the drug and for your expenses.

Would you break US laws, risking your own freedom, to get the drug for her? Would it depend on whether you believed it could really help her?

Please include your reasons for your decision.

I'm not in this situation. It is a hypothetical adapted from "Ethics for Everyone" by Arthur Dobrin.

OK. This one I am of two (or three) minds myself, so I'll put it to a vote. I'm interested to see how the voting goes.

Answer 1

I see your dilemma, but no, I would not do it; you may end up in jail for bringing drugs across the border. Too risky, not to mention totally illegal.

Answer 2

First, check into the efficacy of the drug. If the drug DOES have prven beneficial effects then I'd go to Mexico, have the seller mail it directly to him/her. If, after careful research on the efficacy of the drug and it seems to be a quack remedy, I would refuse to comply with my friend's wishes but would offer your support and love for the duration of the illness.

I have a similar problem. The drug that I need is illegal in MY State. I circumvent it by going out of State, making my preparation there and bringing back the preparation rather than the illegal substance and, although it is technically illegal, I can prove that the use of the preparation does NOT violate the spirit of the law. The prepartaion IS safe and effective and is NOT a quack remedy. The drug is however, used recreationally in it's original state, hence it's illegality. It's simply a matter of political pressure to keep it illegal due to it's criminal associations and NOT because of it's efficacy or lack thereof.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 3

There is a reason this remedy is illegal in this country. There is no guarantee it will cure the cancer. I do not believe that breaking the law to get it is justified becasue there are always other options available. I would do all I could to make my friend as comfortable as possible both physically and spritually.

Answer 4

My twin cousin died a few years ago from cancer. She had beat it once before but it returned with a vengeance. She arranged for loved ones to take her to Mexico for treatment. It did not help and she barely made it back to the Midwest before she died.

Would I break the law? No. Why not? Emotions and heartache aside, what is the fundamental issue here? The issue is what am I prepared to do in order to preserve my life or the life of my loved one? Am I prepared to break the law of the land? Am I prepared to break God's law? A line must be drawn. Standards must be set. And I have learned that the person who sets the standards must have the authority and the right to do so, and he must have the power to enforce them. I have learned through study that the only person who has the authority, right and power to set and to enforce standards is God. In his communications to man, he states that man is to be in subjection to the provisional authorities – the law of the land. (Romans 13:1). Patently, the law is sometimes wrong (as when slavery was perfectly legal). But unless that law forbids us to carry out the express commands of God, it should be obeyed. Put another way, if man commands what God forbids, or if man forbids what God commands, then we must obey God as ruler. But if the law of the land does not conflict with God's law, we must obey it and let God deal with it.

So my answer to you is no, I would not break the law for such a reason.

I am so very sorry about this person having terminal cancer. Death is a cruel and vicious enemy.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

I would do it in a heartbeat. True Friendship is incredible precious; not doing this favor would destroy the friendship at a time when she needs all the friends and comfort she can get.

I would also offer whatever comfort would be accepted, including traveling to the midwest with this "miracle herb". In situations like this, handholding is one of the best medicines of all.

Answer 6

Mexico and it's medical treatments are practically in the middle ages. Mexico is a third world country far from the cutting edge of any technology. Many people go there for miracle cures that simply don't exist. Please don't risk your life or ethics in this pursuit.
Bless you for your caring heart!

Answer 7

Well... first of all you can go across the border and have them mail it to her, so you are not bringing it in.

But, the real dilemma is whether to deny her a false hope... and allow snake oil salesmen to profit from her desperation.

You'd have to talk to her about it, in depth. After that, it's up to you. I really would not want to do it... but I might. Ultimately, the decision would be hers.

Answer 8

I have known many people that cross the border to obtain treatment in Mexico. I also know of physicians that have had their licenses suspended in USA and practice across the border. (I also know that there are many good physicians from Mexico that practice professionally there.)

I have taken care of many patients that take any last ditch effort to stay alive. I have seen many people spend a lot of money that they did not have to save loved ones.

Tomorrow is promised to no one.

Answer 9

the best medical system is here in the USA; leaders from other countries come here; it may sound like it may help but there are quacks everywhere; I wouldn't break the law but seek out a better doctor and then go there; there are good mechanics and bad ; good doctors and bad; there are homeopathic and naturalist physicians here; our mail is screened as well; what good will anyone do sitting in jail?

Answer 10

if the person was a realy goof freind i would but only if it had good evidence that it realt did work and if it did than ya by all means, other wise no, so ya legal or illegal i would do it for a TRUE freind!

Answer 11

Just say that you will pray for her dear. It will be just as efficient as those mexican herbal remedies but it won't be illegal.