On July 1,1980, at four major medical institutions across the United States, the National Cancer Institute began testing Laetrile on cancer patients on whom all other therapy has failed. The study calls for 200 patients to receive the drug, along with a natural food diet. Results should be known in two years, and should demonstrate once and for all whether or not Laetrile has any cancer inhibiting effects. The study was undertaken primarily because of the large amount of publicity proponents of Laetrile have generated over the past five years, rather than any independent evidence that Laetrile may be an effective anticancer agent. Its commencement, however, provides a useful opportunity to review the legal status of Laetrile, and to suggest a possible approach to the controversy it has caused.

This article provides a framework for consideration of two questions: who should decide the scope of professional nursing? and what criteria should be employed in determining the scope of professional nursing? It is my view that professional as well as practical considerations must be reconciled in determining the answers to these questions.

Increasing numbers of nurses are being sued for malpractice. Confirmation of this statement may be found by surveying the case law of the various jurisdictions (which reveals that lawsuits against nurses, while still not common, are more frequent) and the nursing literature (which recently evidences a marked increase in the percentage of articles dealing with professional liability and related issues).