Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
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Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 25/9/2012 9:51 AM BST
on bmj.com
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In the UK, Channel 4 are going to screen a programme on the 26th September, where several volunteers (including actor Keith Allen, an ex-soldier, a vicar) will take the drug Ecstasy aka MDMA. Professor David Nutt, who was an advisor to the government on drugs (before being sacked for saying taking Ecstasy is less dangerous than horse riding) is running the experiment to see what exactly an E does to the brain. Critics have said that this is a reckless and pointless experiment, is glamourising drugs and is publicity seeking neuroscience. In a Guardian article, Nutt said “I don't think a scientific programme has any relationship to moral messages. What we're trying to do is understand the effects on the brain of a drug which, as everyone who uses it – by and large – tells us, produces an interesting and profound change in people's feelings in a positive direction.” http://www.channel4.com/programmes/drugs-live-the-ecstasy-trial/episode-guide/series-1 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/sep/21/ecstasy-david-nutt-channel-4 This programme will hopefully give us a better scientific understanding about how ecstasy works in the brain – as so little is known. The blurb for the programme claims that it will look into the side-effects and dangers, and will include comment from sceptics. Is this programme glamourising drugs or should Channel 4 be congratulated for exploring the science behind drugs? Is Nutt right to say that science has no scientific obligation? |
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 25/9/2012 12:31 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 92
First: 20/3/2012 Last: 25/10/2012 |
I can understand both sides of this argument. On the one hand, by doing this, it will raise awareness of the effects of the drug and, if it even stops one person taking the drug, then it was worth it. However, the opposite side is that is this really acceptable television? My concern is that it is just another form of trashy reality television and that, rather than coming across as educational and thought-provoking, it will come across as seedy and sordid in a way. If the BBC and such were doing this, then it may not cause such opposition but, because it is on Channel 4 and given their history of trashy and exploitative television for pure entertainment, people are naturally wary (not saying Channel 4 is bad as some of my favourite programmes are on it. Just saying they have history) |
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 25/9/2012 1:49 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 311
First: 7/5/2009 Last: 2/4/2013 |
This is crappy media at its best AGAIN. There should be certain limits on what should and what shouldn't be shown on the TV. Unfortunately media is ONLY concerned with their rating *by any means possbile*
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 25/9/2012 2:03 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 3059
First: 27/3/2012 Last: 13/6/2013 |
I do not understand how scientific it could be to broadcast program like watching effects of narcotics & hypnotics. Rather it seems more likely that this program is trying to advertise the hypnotic drugs in public! This is the fate of advanced sciences today! |
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 25/9/2012 2:53 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 92
First: 20/3/2012 Last: 25/10/2012 |
I have to add that this is the same sort of controversy that Channel 4 courted when they allowed the broadcasting of "Life and Death" with Dr von Hagen and his live autopsy programme. I respect C4 for pushing the boundaries but sometimes they push them too far. Having said that, if it was in a more conservative country such as Sweden or Holland, would there still be this level of furore? Just wondering |
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 25/9/2012 7:56 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1
First: 25/9/2012 Last: 25/9/2012 |
I'm sure that this experiment can be donne in a more appropiate manner ,according to scientific standards ,if they really want to study E mechanisms.The TV doesn't play any scientific role in this. |
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 25/9/2012 8:57 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 92
First: 20/3/2012 Last: 25/10/2012 |
In Response to Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?: I'm sure that this experiment can be donne in a more appropiate manner ,according to scientific standards ,if they really want to study E mechanisms.The TV doesn't play any scientific role in this. Posted by ank You are spot on there. The only logical reason for doing this is to have a macabre and grim type of reality programme which only benefits Channel 4 and their viewing figures as they know people will watch it anyway...especially as so much of a fuss has been made, people will tune in to see if it was worth all the fuss. It will be interesting to see how many complaints the watchdog gets over it...not that they will do anything anyway, except tell them it was a bad idea and don't do it again.
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 26/9/2012 10:04 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 16
First: 18/1/2010 Last: 7/5/2013 |
I can't believe the ignorance of the commets here. 2 points: 1. Prof Nutt is conducting important science which he could not get financed because the pharmacological agents he wants to test (for good scientific and therapeutic reasons) are illegal. Channel 4 stumped up the money and have not interfered with the science, so what's the problem? 2. People do potentially much more dangerous things on TV every day, but I don't hear of it being called irresponsible. Don't forget that the absolute risk level of this is about equivalent to horse riding. And very much less that rugby or skiiing. I'm ashamed of the ignorance and/or hypocracy of my peers |
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Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
posted at 26/9/2012 5:11 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 92
First: 20/3/2012 Last: 25/10/2012 |
In Response to Re: Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?: I can't believe the ignorance of the commets here. 2 points: 1. Prof Nutt is conducting important science which he could not get financed because the pharmacological agents he wants to test (for good scientific and therapeutic reasons) are illegal. Channel 4 stumped up the money and have not interfered with the science, so what's the problem? 2. People do potentially much more dangerous things on TV every day, but I don't hear of it being called irresponsible. Don't forget that the absolute risk level of this is about equivalent to horse riding. And very much less that rugby or skiiing. I'm ashamed of the ignorance and/or hypocracy of my peers Posted by Artemis Hi Artemis. I welcome, and encourage, all discussion whether people agree with me or not, as does everyone else on here. Beyond that, I am not going to discuss your post as I don't appreciate being called an ignorant hypocrite (given that I disagreed with the airing of the programme, I must be included in that comment) as I am not one (regardless of what you may think)
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Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » Should Channel 4 let people take ecstasy live on TV?
