• Question: do you think that testing drugs on people is a safe method

    Asked by craiggore to Daniel, Derek, Ian, Phil, Upul on 14 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Derek Mann

      Derek Mann answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      On the whole yes as the regulations associated with clinical trials for new drugs are very tight and closely monitored.

    • Photo: Ian Sillett

      Ian Sillett answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      I can remember only one incident where testing drugs on people has caused any problems. (A quick google tells me it was TGN1412 – google it yourself.) Despite this, I believe most trials on people pass off without incident. In fact, small scale trials of drugs on people in controlled conditions is essential to ensure that they are safe before they are used on everybody.

    • Photo: Daniel Mietchen

      Daniel Mietchen answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      I think it is certainly safer than releasing drugs for clinical use that have not been tested on people. But yes, the question of how many and what tests (on people or other organisms) are appropriate is very important, and it has no single answer.

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