"Mark of Shame" by Lester Del Rey is a science fiction novel that tells the story of a prison hospital doctor in a galaxy of the future, obsessively reminiscent of the modern world of people. The hero has to become an examination for testing a new drug, but refuses because of his bad reputation. But when danger threatens, he decides to take part in the research, which begins with a series of failures and threats to his own life. Through the struggle between humanity and intrigue, "Mark of Shame" leaves the reader in tense anticipation of the resolution, the author successfully portrays such topical issues as morality, power and trust.