While I can appreciate some of the intent to make certain healthcare more accessible, it is never a good idea to have anyone inexperienced attempt to perform some of the reactions required to synthesize medicines. This should always be done by experienced individuals with quality reagents and the proper lab equipment. While it might be easy to substitute a mason jar for a proper glass reaction vessel it is not so simple to find a substitute for a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer in the back of your pantry.
IMO, The test equipment required to analyze the results of the reactions is generally most cost prohibitive aspect of this type of 'research'. And this is where I have a problem with these guys: I don't see any plans available for building any of that. Building many of these devices is not out of reach for a skilled individual, and it makes more sense to me that this equipment should more readily accessible than a glorified Keurig machine for drugs. This kind of arrogance and lack of respect for the discipline required in organic chemistry is going to result is someone getting hurt.
IMO, The test equipment required to analyze the results of the reactions is generally most cost prohibitive aspect of this type of 'research'. And this is where I have a problem with these guys: I don't see any plans available for building any of that. Building many of these devices is not out of reach for a skilled individual, and it makes more sense to me that this equipment should more readily accessible than a glorified Keurig machine for drugs. This kind of arrogance and lack of respect for the discipline required in organic chemistry is going to result is someone getting hurt.