Potions Club: Term XXIV - Activity #1

[ivory88s.livejournal.com]

Activity: Ethics Debate
Points: Long Debate - 10pts initial comment/2pts for each subsequent comment of substance; 30pt max
Deadline: Friday, September 21st - 11:59pm UTC
Details: Potions can be a tricky business with some magnificent results. But should it be monitored and if so, how? The Ministry is considering instituting a control over Veritaserum and we're going to discuss whether or not that's necessary and/or a good idea.


For this particular debate, we'll be discussing Veritaserum use, control, and distribution. Initial comment should be at least 100 words and each subsequent should be of some substance and not just "I agree!", even if you do. Why? Anything else to add?

Some things to consider:
As such a potent and effective potion, does it need to be controlled? At first glance it's fairly innocuous. It can be used in a variety of circumstances for differing reasons. Should it be controlled by the Ministry and, if so, how? Should just anyone be able to make it? And when used by the Ministry, should they just be used whenever interrogating a criminal or only in certain circumstances?

*Note: There WILL be a 24-hour grace period after the activity ends, but please make sure you're on the roster now to save time later! Not sure? Check here. Know you aren't on it? Come join the club here! Purchase any additional bonus items? Let me know here.

Comments

[melas-2ndsoul.livejournal.com]

I am not sure if Veritaserium needs to be controlled. There are many other potions which can lead to utter chaos if the wrong people use them. Veritaserum can be used for the “wrong” side too, if someone who shouldn’t have it uses it but most of the time it is used for something good.
I think what should be controlled is that people need to know that someone put Veritaserum in their drink. I think that no one should be under the influence of Veritaserum if they don’t want to be. Because even though it only makes you say the truth not everyone wants to spill their whole life to someone else.

Jassy/Gryff

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm really not sure either. You said it well, there are so many other potions that can lead to big chaos and that aren't controlled either, but on the other hand - which is somethign I never really thought about when making my initial comment - Veritaserum can, too. Sure, it only makes you tell the truth, but the truth is something that can lead into disasters and destruction. I totally agree with you though that people should definitely know they're about to drink Veritaserum; it utterly freaks me out to think about having Veritaserum or any other potion in my tea that I'm drinking, not knowing about anything.

Avi//Hufflepuff//10