Informed Consent

by Deborah Zoe Laufer

With genomic breakthroughs happening at breakneck speed, we can learn more about what our futures may hold than ever before. But how much should we know? And who gets to decide? Inspired by a recent court case between a Native American tribe and an Arizona University, Informed Consent takes us into the personal and national debate about science v. belief, and whether our DNA is our destiny.

Genres: Plays

72 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2015

Reviews

[Reilly Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

the play does a really nice job of establishing the differences between science, culture, and fairytales. none of them are inherently “bad” unless you wield them without inclusivity and empathy . . . or without informed consent.
#ethics

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the old tradition of the problem play, Informed Consent knows all the answers to its questions before it ever begins to ask them. It manufactures a set of characters who represent various ideas, and then it has those characters talk about those ideas. But there never really is a question in this play about who is right and who is wrong. The white woman at the play's center learns her lesson, and I suppose we in the audience are supposed to learn our lesson, as well. I know this is a personal preference, but I don't like drama like this; I'd rather read an essay about the topic. If the author has an argument, I'd rather read her theory and have her cite her sources and look at the specific case study.

[Tanis Blount · Rating 5 out of 5]

A play about they way we perceive ourselves and others. It tackles the idea of our personal story and whether or not anyone else has the right to try and “correct” it. It has to be powerful on stage.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm directing this early next year and recently reread it (a couple more times)...it's beautifully structured.

[Eliana Lazzara · Rating 3 out of 5]

made me sad but not in a profound artistic way