Helsinki

[stoutfellow]

From time to time I teach a general education course in statistics. Many of the people who take it are nursing students, and there is a considerable section on the ethical aspects of medical experimentation. I am forced to wonder whether this section will be revised, given that the FDA has now decided to withdraw from the Declaration of Helsinki.

Words cannot express my disgust.

Comments

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

That is disgusting. Nice way to say "fuck off and die" to those unfortunate enough to get the placebo.

Am I right in assuming that it'd be less likely that such research would be more likely to be carried out in poorer populations, who are less likely to sue (and who are desperate enough to participate in "free/cheap" experimental treatment)? So much for learning the lessons of Tuskegee (and others).

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

That's my understanding, yes - although the poorer populations in question are more likely to be in the third world.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

Somebody should be alerting the blogosphere and press (such as it is) about this.

Love, C.