Instead, he confronts head-on the paradoxes of those who would insist on the rigorous use of biomedical ethics while continuing to act effectively in this complex world we all inhabit. As such, I sincerely hope that this book is read and taken to heart by all persons involved, however peripherally, in experimentation on human subjects. But although Undue Risk is an extremely good book, both in regard to its quality of argument and research and its moral concern, I must conclude that it falls short of being a great book. In large part its flaws come automatically from the format the author has chosen and the audience that he and his publisher are seeking. The book is written as a narrative, as a story that seeks to entertain.
Analysis makes appearances, but storytelling is primary.
To enliven the tale, personalities and personal attributes are described in some detail. One can easily imagine a zealous editor insisting that Moreno provide a human interest angle. Perhaps such personal touches help sell books, but only at the risk of distracting from the compelling issues at hand. Murky lessons Moreno's strategy in writing a popular account also prevented him from adequately explaining and justifying his positions. Although his stance on specific ethical issues is always clear, his ultimate position on the lessons to be drawn from the larger story remains murky, allowing the divergent readings outlined above.