D. B. Lewis
This novel is set in the University sector. It explores two themes of major importance in education and research. The first addresses what is proper and acceptable behaviour between academic staff and the students in their care. What seems at first a matter of indiscipline in examination marking becomes a moral issue of 'marks for sexual favours' with racial overtones that culminates in the finding of a foetus in the ladies' toilet and the more serious consequences of that.
The expression of power by pharmaceutical companies when they contract out research to individuals and University Departments is also explored as is the question of who is responsible for the outcome of that research if it has consequences for the human population at large. How moral is a single researcher required to be when faced with the power of a large company? How far does his responsibility extend?
These two themes are drawn together and shown to have much to do with the exercise of power and the exploitation of privilege at the individual and Corporate levels.
The author was engaged in Science in the University sector for many years as a lecturer, researcher and Research Director. He had an International reputation in his field of neuroscience. During his career he has published over 35 learned papers and two definitive textbooks as well as lecturing on the international circuit by invitation, as a Visiting Professor in Germany and Denmark, given broadcasts and provided seminars at the British Association for the Advancement of Science, The Linnaean Society and the Royal Society. He is in the privilaged position of being able to present the workings of teaching and research in the Higher Education Sector from the inside.
I asked Muriel, "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"You know that I have been working on the development of brain pathways in the new born. Well, there are some problems. Not experimental but practical."
"Tell me."
"Very well. Good news first or second?"
"First."
"I have been asked to collaborate with the neonatal department of the hospital, using my models to research the effects on the new born of severe middle ear hearing loss."
"That's wonderful. This is extremely exciting, something you should be very happy about."
"I would be but for one thing," she said.
"What could it possibly be that would upset you?"
"We applied jointly for a reasearch grant and we were successful. But the Animal Rights people have got to hear about it and my lab and I have been targetted ever since."
"My dear, I'm extremely sorry. You must take some practical measures to combat this." I knew of course, of the increase in the level of activity of such groups. There was no future in rational arguments and no effective means of preventing access to the information they aquired since scientists wished and needed to have their work peer-reviewed and published in the public domain. And there seemed precious little that the Police could do without proof of their identity.
"Have you reported this?
"Internally yes."
"The Police must be told and quickly. Will you get them to do that?"
"Yes. Well that was the good news. The bad news is that it seems that there is a class of drugs used on pregnant women that some people have suggested could have the same effect as hearing loss on nerve pathway development in the unborn child. There is a rumour that the side-effects of the drug are known but the drug is very lucrative and continues to be used."
"What drug?" I asked.
"An anxuiety depresant known as Serternalin; it's an opiate."
"Which Company and is anyone investigating?"
"British International Pharmaceutics and I don't know. The BMA are thought to be interested but there's a great deal of money involved. There's probably not much you can do, but I wanted you to know."
"Who did you hear this from?"
"I think it was Dick Winstone our biochemist.
