Science for Sale (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
"Medical research should serve humanity, not profit margins." ~ Dr. Quincy, in Science for Sale (Quincy, M.E.)
Episode Overview
Science for Sale is the twentieth episode of Season 7 of Quincy, M.E., originally airing on NBC on February 17, 1982. The episode delves into unethical pharmaceutical testing and features guest star Eddie Albert as Dr. Frank Ransom, a respected medical researcher whose ethics are called into question.
Table of Contents
Application of The QME Episode Laws
✅ Law 1: A Quincy, M.E. story must always seek to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victim. Quincy investigates the unexplained death of a young man who was part of a clinical drug trial. His pursuit of truth exposes a pattern of medical negligence.
✅ Law 2: A Quincy, M.E. story must explore the social and ethical issues surrounding the case. This episode highlights the corruption within the medical research field—especially the exploitation of test subjects for profit under the guise of science.
✅ Law 3: A Quincy, M.E. story must never shy away from complex or controversial topics. The episode courageously tackles medical ethics, informed consent, and the consequences of research fraud in vulnerable populations.
✅ Law 4: A Quincy, M.E. story must strive for scientific accuracy in its investigations. Medical autopsy findings and documentation of drug toxicity in tissue samples are explored through Quincy’s rigorous forensic process.
Episode Synopsis
Dr. Quincy becomes suspicious when a young man dies after being admitted to the hospital with stroke-like symptoms. Though the hospital rules it a freak occurrence, Quincy and Sam’s autopsy uncovers traces of experimental chemicals in the patient's bloodstream. Digging deeper, Quincy links the patient to an unapproved drug trial supervised by Dr. Frank Ransom (Eddie Albert), a once-revered researcher now aligned with a for-profit pharmaceutical sponsor.
Quincy uncovers that the trial bypassed key ethical protocols, including informed consent. Further investigation reveals that several other participants suffered adverse effects. Ransom, initially defensive, begins to show signs of moral conflict, especially when Quincy provides evidence that one death could have been prevented if earlier symptoms had not been ignored.
With assistance from Lt. Monahan, Quincy confronts both the pharmaceutical company and the hospital board. The trial is shut down, and Dr. Ransom publicly renounces the study’s funding sources, testifying at a medical ethics hearing in the final scene.
Plot Summary
- Quincy investigates a mysterious death in a hospital setting.
- Finds evidence of chemical-induced stroke from unregulated clinical trial.
- Confronts hospital administration and pharmaceutical interests.
- Forces whistleblower testimony and saves future patients from harm.
← Holding Pattern (Quincy, M.E.) • Science for Sale • Seldom Silent, Never Heard (Quincy, M.E.) Season 7 Overview: Full Episode List
Main Cast
- Jack Klugman as Dr. R. Quincy
- Robert Ito as Sam Fujiyama
- John S. Ragin as Dr. Asten
- Garry Walberg as Lt. Frank Monahan
Guest Cast
- Eddie Albert as Dr. Frank Ransom
- Barry Jenner as Dr. Paul Bennington
- Tricia O'Neil as Janet Corwin (Hospital Administrator)
- Tom Ewell as Charles Gantry (Pharma executive)
Case File Summary
Victim: Unnamed male subject in drug study Cause of Death: Cerebral hemorrhage triggered by experimental pharmaceutical agent Case #: LACC 82.02.764
Additional Victims
- Multiple undocumented test subjects suffered adverse reactions.
- A teenage female patient is hospitalized due to the same experimental compound.
Alleged Perpetrators
- Dr. Paul Bennington – young researcher lacking oversight, ignored red flags.
- Charles Gantry – pharmaceutical executive who pressured study approval.
Filming Locations and Exterior Footage
- Scenes shot in and around Los Angeles County Hospital
- Exterior shots of UCLA Medical Center used for research facility
- Interior lab scenes recreated on Universal backlot
Forensic Science Insight
- Toxicology reports reveal the role of untested compounds in vascular damage.
- Use of postmortem CT imaging to assess internal hemorrhage patterns.
- Chain of custody for autopsy evidence established to counter corporate obstruction.
- Forensic pathology uncovers inconsistencies between symptoms and supposed natural causes.
Themes & Tropes
- Medical Ethics Gone Wrong – centers on profit-driven science.
- The Whistleblower Dilemma – a researcher torn between duty and career.
- Quincy vs. the Institution – continues the show’s theme of lone voices against bureaucratic denial.
- Science Misused – critiques how clinical trials can be manipulated.
Reception & Ratings
- Rated 7.4/10 on IMDb
- Praised by TV Guide (1982) for its “prescient critique of for-profit medicine.”
- Quincy fans laud Eddie Albert’s nuanced guest performance.
Trivia
- Eddie Albert was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for a guest performance in 1982.
- The episode was inspired by real-life controversies in 1970s pharmaceutical testing.
- Quincy uses a spectrophotometer onscreen, a rare moment of realistic lab equipment depiction.
Cultural Impact
Science for Sale echoes ongoing discussions about medical research transparency and human subject protections. Aired during a time of increased scrutiny on pharmaceutical ethics, the episode became part of broader debates around the role of private industry in public health.
See Also
External Links
- [Science for Sale IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0681814/ "Science for Sale on IMDb")
- [Watch full episode on QuincyExaminer.com](https://quincyexaminer.com "Stream classic Quincy, M.E. episodes")
- [Medical Ethics History Timeline](https://www.historyofethics.org "Medical ethics overview")