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What Is Informed Consent? By Jeffrey Tucker, Brownstone Institute (06/04/25, may require subscription)
Jeffrey Tucker is always worth a read in the original. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a Grok ai summary, lightly edited.
SUMMARY
During FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s recent interview on Face the Nation, he advocated for “shared clinical decision-making” or informed consent, emphasizing that patients should make health decisions based on individual needs rather than universal mandates.
Host Margaret Brennan appeared skeptical, pushing for centralized recommendations.
Mr. Tucker traces the historical shift from individual autonomy to collective health mandates, linking it to Charles Darwin’s The Descent of Man and the rise of eugenics and public health movements. He highlights the fragility of informed consent, especially post-COVID, and the need to restore voluntarism in healthcare.
Key Points
Makary’s Interview and Informed Consent
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary promoted “shared clinical decision-making” on Face the Nation.
Emphasized patients deciding based on individual health needs, akin to informed consent.
Host Margaret Brennan seemed skeptical, favoring universal recommendations.
Historical Context of Health Mandates
Shift from individual autonomy to collective health began with Darwin’s 1871 book The Descent of Man.
Darwin’s thesis suggested human survival advancements threatened evolutionary progress.
Led to eugenics movements (1880s–1930s) and public health initiatives prioritizing collective benefit.
Public Health and Vaccines
Public health initially focused on clean water and air, later on vaccines (e.g., Smallpox).
Goal of disease eradication justified maximum compliance, reducing individual choice.
Post-1986 vaccine liability removal spurred a “vaccine gold rush.”
Nuremberg Code and Informed Consent
Post-WWII Nuremberg Code (1947) established voluntary consent as essential.
Response to Nazi experiments, though rooted in earlier eugenics ideas.
Informed consent remains fragile, challenged by COVID-era mandates.
COVID Response and Media
COVID response pushed collective action, contradicting Nuremberg principles.
Journalists, including Brennan, appear socialized to prioritize universal mandates over individual choice.
Restoring voluntarism in healthcare faces significant challenges.
Related:
Dr. Makary Interview on Face the Nation (06/01/25, video 08:59): youtube.com/watch?v=WGH…
Health Freedom & Other Solutions for Idaho & Beyond: tinyurl.com/3548v623
