HUMAN TESTING: Ethical or unethical?

What is human testing? ■Human subjects research: any research or clinical investigation that involves human subjects. ■Human Subject: a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains data.

Types of Testing ■Intervention Research: includes both physical procedures by which data are gathered and manipulations of the subject or the subject's environment that are performed for research purposes. ■Interaction Research: includes communication or interpersonal contact between investigator and subject. ■Private Information: Information is provided by the subject, such as a medical record, for a specific purpose. No observation is included.

Reasons FOR Human Testing ■Humans have the ability to consent to testing; they can make the choice to participate or not. ■Testing on humans allows research to show how human bodies actually react; with animals, their bodies might have a different reaction. ■Find new and more effective treatment of illness ■Furthers our understanding of medications, diseases, curing medical issues, etc. Allows us to make advancements. ■There are protections for humans who are being tested on, which keep tests ethical: the Nuremberg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki, and the Belmont Report. ■Test subjects often get paid and can feel good for helping discover a new medication ■Human life span can be increased ■Can cure worldwide diseases

Reasons FOR Human Testing: Why participate in human testing? ■You may get promising new treatment methods that you can’t get outside clinical research. ■The new method may have less side effects than the usual care. ■You may be the first to benefit from the new method. ■You are helping others with the same disease, both now and in the future. ■You play an active role in your own health care.

Reasons AGAINST Human Testing ■Side effects can be carried on from test subjects and pass on new diseases ■Test subjects can die ■Could be an outbreak of mutated disease that is incurable ■People dehumanized or abused if not taken care of properly

Reasons AGAINST Human Testing: Why should you NOT participate? ■New drugs or methods are not always better than the normal treatment. ■New methods may have side effects or risks that doctors do not expect or are worse than those from the normal treatment. ■If you are in a randomized study you will not be able to choose the treatment you receive. ■Your health insurance may not cover all costs. ■You may need to make more visits to the hospital or clinic. ■Even if a new treatment has benefits, it may not work for you.