Breaking Good: Chemical Engineers Respond to the Addiction Epidemic

Drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, with dire consequences for individual addicts, communities, and entire societies. Indeed, the addiction epidemic threatens to destabilize not only healthcare, but also economic welfare. Because chemical engineers have a duty to serve the public and address pressing societal needs, it is critical for chemical engineers to develop processes and products to prevent drug addiction. This article will describe the history and current status of the addiction epidemic; discuss biochemical engineering processes for the biosynthesis of therapeutics with lower potential for addiction; and deliberate on the ethical duties of chemical professionals in communicating with the public regarding drug addiction.