[NittanyLion]

I've always wondered about people who would rather suffer and complain, then do something about it, balancing risk vs. benefit.

Agreed. I also wonder if some folks fail to make the distinction between sources of everyday "aches and pains" v. the sort of pain that will destroy your body (RA, for one). When your body is manufacturing antibodies that target your own joints, it's no longer a case of "mind over matter"...it's time to reap the benefits of pharmaceutical R&D.

[HonestConservative]

The media is having a grand old time hyping the evils of "Big Drug Companies". Notice how the evil people that are targeted are always "Big".

Those evil people are also working on a vaccine that is amazingly effective against cervical cancer. Someday, there will be vaccines for Alzheimer's, Parkinsons and MS.
But I am sure there will be rocket scientists who want to take their chances without them.

It is an individuals responsibility, and I include myself in this, to make choices about their health and independence not just based on how it effects them personally, but equally on how their decisions effect the people they love.