In "Working Ethics," historian Alexa Green discusses the dynamic between William Beaumont and Alexis St. Martin, highlighting their relationship as one of master and servant. Beaumont, a physician, conducted significant medical research on St. Martin, who suffered a gunshot wound that left his stomach exposed. This power imbalance is evident in the way Beaumont was able to perform experiments on St. Martin without much consideration for his autonomy.

Mary Roach’s book, "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," illustrates this relationship with a quote that encapsulates the nature of their interactions. The quote suggests that St. Martin had little choice in Beaumont’s invasive research, emphasizing the ethical complexities of medical experimentation in that era, where personal agency was often overshadowed by authority and the pursuit of knowledge.