Popular science lecture with musical accompaniment

Counterfeit medications, risky treatments, abuse, and exploitation. Susanne Lundin, professor of ethnology at Lund University, and Mats G. Hansson, professor of biomedical ethics at Uppsala University, have both studied the dilemmas, risks, and behaviors that exist in the shadow of the pharmaceutical industry and the gray areas of healthcare. 

Here, they share real-life examples and fundamental insights on issues that affect us all—from the opioid crisis in the U.S. to the debate surrounding Ozempic in the Nordic countries.  

How do we view the risks associated with new medical treatments, and are these risks communicated clearly enough? What would we do if we found ourselves in a situation where our only option was to seek an illegal treatment abroad? Are we aware of how many counterfeit medications are in circulation?  

And how should the doctor in the opera, Theresa Hart, act to save her daughter and all the others who have become hooked on Lucky Mack’s carousel horses? Horses that can be interpreted as a dark metaphor for “horse”—slang for heroin. 
 
The lecture is framed by thematically appropriate music by Missy Mazzoli and others, performed by pianist Jonas Olsson and tenor Jihan Shin. 
 

The lecture will be held on two occasions

Thursday, September 10, at Curiosum – Science Lunch in collaboration with Umeå University. Free admission; no reservation required.

Saturday, September 12, at the Norrlandsoperan— an introductory talk in conjunction with the premiere. You’ll need to reserve a free ticket for this talk (ticket link further down the page).

Thank you very much!

Many thanks to the Riksbank’s Jubilee Fund—RJ Art and Culture—for making it possible for the Norrlands Opera to participate in the co-production of *The Galloping Cure* and our collaboration with these two researchers.