The Effects of the Drug on the US Society - Essay Example

Drugs are developed to solve a particular medical problem or eliminate human suffering. However, some drugs intended for curative have turned out to be major threats to the existence of humanity. The threat caused by these drugs on the existence of humanity is what makes them of military interest. Currently, Isotretinoin is the most dangerous drug in the US. This paper will therefore analyze the effects of the drug on US society. Isotretinoin was developed with medial or curative intention.

The drug was developed to treat cancer, particularly cancer of the brain and pancreas. However, the lethal side effects of the drug were not established in pre-clinical tests conducted before the drug was declared safe for human use (Tim 42). Accutane is the most popular brand of Isotretinoin and hence the most destructive according to statistics. Although the side effects of the drug have been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, the drug is still on the shelves of most United States pharmacies.

Despite the side effects, the drug is among the most effective in the family of drugs applied in the treatment of cancer ( Wysowski, Pitts, and Beitz 43). This is the main factor that has enhanced the continuous use of the drug. Successful usage of the drug depends on the probability of developing medical complications, which vary between individuals. Isotretinoin is regarded as the most dangerous drug in the country since it not only affects an individual but also an entire generation (FDA Web). This is because the reactions of the human body to the drugs are passed through birth or are inherited.

In most cases, an individual may have a dormant response to the drug. In such cases, a person will have invisible reactions after undergoing treatment using the drug. However, the consequences of the drug may be propagated through birth leading to serious complications for children whose parents had used the drug. Babies born to parents who had previously used the drug are born with serious complication in their nervous system that leaves them incapacitated throughout their lives. The drug not only has lethal side effects on the offspring of its users but it also affects current users.

Studies carried out in Texas on users indicated that a user was 75% more likely to develop cardiac problems compared to a person who has never used the drug ( Wysowski, Pitts, and Beitz 23). It was also established that users were more likely to suffer irreversible brain damage after their first dose. This indicates that the drug can destroy an entire generation. Mental incapacitation is a severe problem since a mentally handicapped person has limited capabilities. On the other hand, cardiac problems have no known cure and hence the drug is more of a problem than a solution.

Although Isotretinoin has been proven to cause harmful effects on users, the drug is still on the market. In 1988, several independent scientists working under the supervision of the FDA concluded that the drug has life-threatening side effects (FDA Web). The drug, however, has enjoyed continuous support based on its effectiveness in the treatment of cancer. A report released by the Michigan medical authority indicated that nearly 1000 are born to parents who have had experiences with the drug. This proves the drug has a cumulative effect on its users.