Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

Getting a new drug approved takes years doesn't it and human trials are essential. I expect that Brian will trial the drug on himself eventually. There are always side effects to all drugs and it may even be deadly! I am glad that Julia is sharing her skill with a new audience, you never know where that might lead. Another fine chapter Jim, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 17-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2024

It can take 10 years or more to get a new drug approved, yes. It will have to go through at least three sets of human trials before the FDA will approve it.

You're correct, Dolly: there will be some risk with trying it on himself, but a successful animal trial should make him more confident that the risk may be small. If his rats were to start dying, it might give him pause to try it on himself.

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Great development. Everybody's making great progress.
Jules isn't doing any traveling during Covid?
I'm still unclear how Brian can fairly rate the efficacy of the drug. I would expect a subconscious bias. So how would he know?

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 Comment Written 17-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2024

During 2020-2021 when this chapter takes place, there wouldn't have been many concerts in concert halls. Perhaps only in Florida.

As Brian said, he would only accept a pain level of 1, and his current pain level is 4-5. Believe me he will know whether or not it is successful, as there is a huge difference between 1 and 4-5. If it ends up at, say a 3 or 2, he can bring it lower; he just doesn't want it to go to 0.

Even if he were biased, he still has to go through the normal human trials required by the FDA before they will accept his drug. There will be many hundreds of test subjects for those.

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Exceptional

How much research have you had to do for this honey bunch? This stuff is great, involving, and true to life as far as I can tell. They tend to frown on using yourself or family members and friends, because of bias, but it is done. Grand work. Karen

 Comment Written 17-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2024

A fair amount of research went into this, but I enjoyed it. Especially since I discovered the AI bot Poe who helped me with it. That cut the time way down.

Yes, self-testing is occasionally done. I researched that and found a few notable examples of it. Even if he were biased about his own pain relief, he still has to perform the usual human trials required by the FDA with many subjects.

Thanks very much for your very nice review and the 6 stars, Karen.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 18-Sep-2024

I sent you stuff on a ray gun!
Check your email. Karen

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 18-Sep-2024

Now the contest is over I can tell you, I wrote a reversal poem called Xavier. It has points! :-)

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

Hmm, well, I think the writing and editing are sold from beginning to end. Nice introduction of another "good" character. And more positive family support. Also, explaining, though he has to use animals, he is still a good person while doing only what is needed. The FS readers will like that.

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 Comment Written 17-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2024

Thanks very much.

I'm saving the bad guys for the sequel. In this one, the bad guys are inanimate: the opioids and their partner in crime, addiction.