PEGGY: (amused by the banter) A wise man once said "never mistake knowledge for wisdom."

SYDNEY: Meaning?

PEGGY: To acquire knowledge you must study•to acquire wisdom, you must observe.  One makes a living, the other helps you make a life,

SYDNEY: Well, my observations tell me that citizens in this country should have a constitutional right to experimental drug treatment•it’s their bodies.

PEGGY: Even if it breaks the law?

SYDNEY:  I assure you there is nothing illegal in what Helena and I are doing.

PEGGY: You seem very confident in your knowledge of drug laws.

SYDNEY:  I make it my business to know the rules•how else will I know how to bend or break them properly?

Peggy laughs and the tension is broken.

SYDNEY: Mrs. Peabody, the trick to medicine is to learn the system without loosing your integrity.  I assure you, there is no crime being committed•except the crime of a government that will allow people to suffer unnecessarily.  We import a myriad of products from other countries•why is it so immoral to import medicines that can cure or provide relief -and hope•to those suffering?  I view the practice of medicine as being a healer as well as a doctor.  I’m not playing God…

PEGGY: (interrupting poignantly) Yet you played "God" by ending your partner’s life?

Syd is taken aback by the comment and the tension returns.

SYDNEY: (slightly rattled) I played doctor by ending her suffering. A doctor’s job is to preserve life•not just delay death. (regaining her composure). I assure you there is nothing immoral in what we are doing.

PEGGY: Doctor, I’m not concerned about the morality•just the legality.  My daughter has already been in trouble with the law. So•while your rhetoric is very convincing•if what you’re doing is so legit•so righteous–why my private planes?

SYDNEY: Hundreds of millions of dollars go from pharmaceuticals to doctors•not to mention the tie between congress and pharmaceutical reps and the FDA•and there are no true regulations or measures in place.  Medicine was once a lucrative profession, but with huge student loans, higher malpractice premiums and lower HMO premiums, doctors can hardly afford to practice without subsidies from drug companies.