T&T Week 3 - Lecture Review: Drugs & Society -Derek Chignell (PhD)

This week’s Drugs & Society lecture, presented by Dr. Derek Chignell, was a unique blend of faith, science, and compassion. Dr. Chignell, once a chemistry professor at Wheaton and now serving with Youth with a Mission, brought both depth and heart to the subject. He opened with the Lord’s Prayer, sung in Swahili—a moving start as I took in the powerful music and inspiring visuals from the trailer for the video game Civilization IV. I own the game but haven’t really sat down to play it; now, I’m intrigued to give it a try.

Dr. Chignell introduced the topic by defining “drug,” preemptively covering the concepts of beneficial drugs and drugs of abuse. Moving through the history of medicine, he introduced us to ethnobotany and traditional medicine, sharing his experiences with practices like acupuncture. We then explored the development of drugs like morphine and penicillin, as well as four key synthetic drug discoveries—antibiotics, antiseptics, anesthetics, and analgesics—that transformed modern medicine. His passion for science was evident in his demeanor, especially as he guided us through how the intricate, almost miraculous ways neurotransmitter receptors at the ends of our neurons can balance our moods and regulate bodily functions. His explanation made these complex concepts accessible, and I found it fascinating.

Sometimes, we delved into discussions that were both thought-provoking and timely, especially when we talked about hallucinogens like psychedelics. Dr. Chignell opened a fascinating conversation on the place of these substances in society today, examining them from the perspectives of scientific inquiry, faith, and morality. This interplay of perspectives offered a nuanced view of the ethical complexities surrounding these drugs.

A particularly thought-provoking part of the lecture was on justice issues in the pharmaceutical world, where Dr. Chignell highlighted biohacking trends and innovations like CRISPR. The way he presented biohacking brought to mind the phrase “drug vigilantism,” and it’s impressive to see how people are making strides to make science accessible and affordable to the public. I can see this idea of “empowering people” speaks loud in Dr. Chignell’s own service projects, which focus on cultivating resourcefulness to in providing essential resources like clean water, electricity, fuel, and refrigeration in various communities—without fostering dependency.

Our class exercise, where each of us researched an addictive drug and presented our findings, was also an invaluable learning experience. Initially, I struggled with how to simplify my presentation while making it visually engaging. But putting in the effort was worth it; it turned out to be the best PowerPoint I’d created to date and left me with a sense of accomplishment and deeper understanding in my research topic - caffeine.

Reflecting on the lecture, I feel more attuned to the ethical dimensions of drug use and the profound effect that knowledge, shared with compassion, can have on society. The lecture highlighted how science can be an act of service, and Dr. Chignell’s dedication reminded me of the true potential of education to empower and uplift, rather than simply indoctrinate. This week’s insights have been valuable, not just in content but in perspective, leaving me enriched and truly inspired.