Modification of acetaminophen to reduce liver toxicity and enhance drug efficacy

Perceptions of the Project & Student Achievement

• Many commenters are amazed by the sophistication of the work for a 17‑year‑old and say it’s at least master’s-level chemistry.
• Others temper this by noting she did not win the overall competition, and that many finalists are doing similarly advanced work in diverse fields.
• Several people describe mixed emotions: inspiration, but also feelings of personal inadequacy or “falling short,” prompting a side discussion about whether one must “leave a mark” on the world.

Access, Mentorship, and Fairness in Science Fairs

• Strong consensus that high-end science fairs are largely about access to labs, equipment, and expert mentorship.
• Multiple anecdotes: projects done in university labs under close guidance from senior scientists or relatives; students often come from highly academic families.
• Some argue this doesn’t diminish the students’ effort, but makes clear these are not solo “garage” projects.
• There’s debate over whether such fairs genuinely advance science or mainly function as college-admissions theater and career-building for organizers.

Technical Discussion of the Chemistry

• Chemists note the core is a four-step synthesis adding a protecting/functional group to acetaminophen, with an iridium-catalyzed key step.
• The modified compound is computationally predicted to bind TRPV1 and reduce liver toxicity, but commenters see no in vitro or in vivo validation yet.
• Questions raised:
  • Are these steps scalable and economical for mass production?
  • Why use silicon, given silicon-containing drugs are generally difficult and may violate Lipinski rules (too lipophilic)?
  • Whether the molecule’s properties could be tuned (e.g., by additional polar groups).

Patents and Commercial Prospects

• Some ask if the sponsor has patented the molecule; responses say composition-of-matter patents don’t require efficacy data, but real value would hinge on biological results.
• Commenters speculate that if expensive, such a drug would target high‑risk patients rather than replace cheap generic acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen, Toxicity, and Alternatives

• Long subthread on how close therapeutic and toxic doses are, overdose frequency, and the grim nature of liver-failure deaths.
• Debate over whether acetaminophen should remain OTC, especially given widespread unintentional overdoses from combination products.
• Discussion of N‑acetylcysteine as an antidote and why it isn’t routinely co‑formulated (taste, side effects, and risk of encouraging higher dosing).
• Many compare its modest analgesic effect (especially for strong pain) to NSAIDs and opioids, with varied personal responses.
• Some mention emerging concerns about dementia risk and subtle psychological effects, versus known GI/cardiovascular risks of NSAIDs.

Pain Management, Morphine, and End‑of‑Life Care

• Several comments pivot to opioids: morphine’s role in palliative care, overdose risks via respiratory depression, and side effects like constipation and cognitive dulling.
• There’s brief discussion of fentanyl as a superior clinical analgesic but socially tainted by illicit use.
• Some ethical tension: whether escalating morphine at end of life mainly relieves patient suffering or also hastens death for the “benefit” of caregivers.