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Ethical Issues Related to the Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Such as Ozempic and Mounjaro: Impact on Individuals and Society at Large.

Bioethics · 2025

Last updated 2026-05-28

This paper discusses the ethical concerns around GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which are used for weight loss and may also be taken for non-medical reasons. While these drugs could improve health, lower healthcare costs, and reduce environmental harm, they also raise issues such as unknown long-term side effects, increased weight discrimination, and unequal access based on socioeconomic status. The authors suggest that with strong regulations, the benefits may outweigh the risks, but continued monitoring is necessary.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalBioethics, 2025
Citations1
Molecules semaglutide, tirzepatide
Conditions studied Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity

Abstract

This paper explores the ethical implications of emerging weight-loss medications such as Semaglutide (Ozempic) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), analysing their therapeutic applications for obesity and potential use as enhancement drugs. These medications promise significant benefits, including improved individual health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs and, potentially, reduced environmental harms. However, their widespread adoption raises various concerns, such as unknown long-term side effects, the exacerbation of weight-based discrimination, and the reinforcement of socioeconomic disparities. The paper argues that, with robust regulatory frameworks in place, the potential benefits of these medications are likely to outweigh the risks. Nonetheless, ongoing monitoring of their effect on individuals and society at large remains essential.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 41353657 ↗

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