The review of the play 'Doctor Armauer Hansen' delves into the significant yet controversial life of Doctor Hansen, who discovered the leprosy bacterium in 1873, a breakthrough for medical science. However, the narrative also critiques how Hansen's groundbreaking research violated ethical principles, leading him to conduct experiments on patients without consent. Particularly noted is the case of Kari Spidsøy, a healthy patient whose eye was injected with tissue from another leprosy sufferer, illustrating the moral costs of medical advancement.

The reviewer highlights that the play's poignant storytelling is undermined by modern perspectives on ethics and consent, which starkly contrast with the times when such unethical practices were more common. While Hansen's contributions to understanding leprosy are invaluable, the play ultimately raises questions about the human sacrifices made in the name of scientific progress, echoing ongoing debates in today's medical research landscape.

As audiences reflect on the historical context provided by the play, it challenges them to consider how far we've come in terms of ethical standards in medicine while also reminding them that history is fraught with examples of ethical failings. The reviewer suggests that acknowledging these complexities is essential in both appreciating medical history and advocating for ethical practices in the present.