Human experiments
A congressional investigation released yesterday [3/26] exposed dysfunctional oversight of human clinical trials. But the medical community in Philadelphia is working hard to make sure potential volunteers will continue to participate in experiments.
A congressional investigation released yesterday [3/26] shows major lapses in safety oversight for human medical experiments. An event tomorrow [3/28] in Philadelphia will try to prevent this recent negative news from discouraging people from participating From WHYY’s health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
Listen: [audio:sci20090327human.mp3]
Transcript:
Organizers of an educational event on clinical trials expect 400 people at Drexel University Saturday. There will be health screenings and talks from medical leaders in Philadelphia discussing the benefits of trials — such as cutting edge medicine and free medical care. The program’s national director, Jill McNair, says the goal is to restore trust in the medical community and drug industry and encourage people to sign up for trials. She says she is targeting minority populations because they are under-represented in clinical trials.
McNair: If you’re testing a drug and you only have white males age 18-45, that means that that drug has only been tested on that population and that drug may do different things in an African American or Hispanic.
McNair says the event will include information on patients’ rights, so volunteers know how to protect themselves if they decide to join a trial.
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