The Right to Try: How the Federal Government Prevents Americans from Getting the Lifesaving Treatments They Need

Jenn McNary’s sons, Max and Austin, were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy—a fatal disorder that leads to muscle degeneration and eventually death. Max received access to a clinical trial; Austin didn’t. As a result, Max was able to get out of his wheelchair and play on his school soccer team while Austin continued to deteriorate until he could not even feed himself.

The FDA takes as long as fifteen years to appro...