Drugs are natural
On the inconsistency of the word “unnatural”
The main meaning of the word “unnatural” is “not found in nature”, which mostly mean “artificial”.
When we look at a human-made object, we can easily judge at first glance that it is “unnatural” because it cannot be found as it is in nature, and that it is artificial.
But such a distinction is not so clear when we think about it. Is the apple I am used to eating natural? Not really. It would not exist in nature without human intervention. Is the tomato I planted in my garden natural? Also, no for the same reason.
Let’s go a little further. Is an anthill natural? An anthill has a precise architecture that corresponds to a social structure and some culturally inscribed activities. Consequently, it is possible to say that it is not natural, because it cannot exist in nature without some kind of “work,” the work of the ant. It is artificial, even if not human-made.
As we have seen, it seems easy at first glance to consider something natural or not, but when we think about it, we quickly become confused.
In this post, I would like to discuss whether drugs are natural or not. To do this, we will take a detour and first focus on the question of whether “athletes” are natural or not.
Are athletes natural or not?
The question of whether athletes are natural can be approached through three different questions:
- Are human bodies natural?
- Do trained human bodies remain natural?
- Are untrained human bodies natural?
Are human bodies natural?
The question of whether human bodies can be natural can be simplified by focusing on a natural unmedicated newborn at home.
Of course, such conditions are rare in many countries today, but let’s use this example as a thought experience.
A natural unmedicated newborn at home does not seem so different from another newborn mammal in a forest, a cave, or a burrow.
If I can say, for instance, that a black-tailed prairie dog born outside of a zoo is natural, then I should be able to say the same for the human natural, unmedicated newborn at home.
Consequently, it seems possible to consider that human bodies can be natural, at least in some circumstances.
Do trained human bodies remain natural?
The question seems to be more difficult for adult bodies, especially for adult athletes. Is a 100-meter sprinter (say, a local or regional champion) who does not cheat with doping technology natural?
Of course, he probably practiced for hours to get better, but he did so with what his body (naturally) allowed. All aspects of his body, like everyone else’s body, followed the natural rules of bio-physics and bio-mecanics.
If we agree with such statements, we also have to admit that medically enhanced training or athletes (e.g. through doping) are a kind of natural. They use drugs, yes, but those drugs are based on the natural abilities of their compounds to enhance the natural abilities of an athlete’s body to its (also naturally determined) limits.
And yes, we get confused!
Are untrained human bodies natural?
Let’s take one last example. Is an unexercised human body natural? For instance, is the body of an employee who likes to watch baseball or football on the weekends natural or not?
It is natural to be sedentary, to work in a company, and to watch television. Some people would probably agree, others would disagree. The point is that it is not against the laws of the universe, the laws of nature, to be sedentary, to work in a company, or to watch television.
But if we say so, neither the average body nor the athlete’s body violates the laws of nature. In this sense, every body (improved or not, on medication or not, with or without a pacemaker) is natural, while every body should follow the laws of nature.
Are Drugs Natural?
In such a context, what are we talking about when we say that something is not natural? What does a patient say to a doctor when he refuses medication on the ground that it is not natural?
Drugs follow the laws of nature, and when you take them, your body will respond according to those rules and the specifics of your body. Therefore, it should be considered natural. The patient who refuses medication on the ground that it is not natural is not “expressing” what nature is; he is expressing his faith, his beliefs, or his fear.
And some other medical technologies, such as doping, are not really banned because they are unnatural, but because they are unfair to athletes who do not dope, because they pose a danger to the athletes themselves, to non-professionals (especially young people) who might take them as an example to follow, or to protect the reputation of their sport.
So if you have a headache and try to postpone the medication legally bought at your pharmacy you are used to take in such a case, reread this post and be reassured, this medication is legal and you are following the laws of nature.
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