Use of Prisoners in Drug Trials

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Is it ethical? Do they really have informed consent? This two page article reviews some history, and argues pros and cons:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/us/13inmates.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5088&en=8796300a5191346d&ex=1313121600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I sincerely hope this thread continues on an even keel. As most of us are nurses (and some in correctional facilities), we must not lose sight of the basic rights of prisoners. If truly informed consent is obtained (as it is in the general populace), then that is fine. If however, we resort to arbitrarily performing trials on prisoners, we have reduced ourselves to those who have gone before us in WWII.

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.

y'all know they are a protected population, right? That said, I had a CJ teacher that thought condemned prisoners should be shipped off to an island and given the finest food and accomodations. Then when a person needs an organ you have a source. Yes violent prisoners should be used for drug testing and paid the going rate, that money then goes to victims or their families.:D

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
I know of a former prisoner who was offered money to brush his teeth with a certain toothpaste for a specified time period by a well-known comsumer products company. This brand of toothpaste had not been sold to stores and was still in the trial period. Within two weeks this prisoner had lost every single one of his teeth.

I agree with Steph how did that happen-was it investigated?

I understand that this is a very hot thread but how interesting to read everybodies views. I for one feel we mustn't loose sight of the basic rights of the prisoners no matter what crime has been committed as then we may loose sight of ourselves as decent human beings, who commit no crime against others- If we forced these 'criminals' to undertake scientific experiments that could cause or inflinct pain and suffering upon them, would we not be the criminals then?

Just my :twocents: worth

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Specializes in orthopaedics.
yes violent prisoners should be used for drug testing and paid the going rate, that money then goes to victims or their families.:D

love the idea!!! at least they can do something to help their victims and/or their families out.

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... Never mind...

I think most of us are simply venting. Some crimes are just so unspeakably awful that it is hard to have empathy/sympathy for the criminals.

steph

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.
I know of a former prisoner who was offered money to brush his teeth with a certain toothpaste for a specified time period by a well-known comsumer products company. This brand of toothpaste had not been sold to stores and was still in the trial period. Within two weeks this prisoner had lost every single one of his teeth.

?Urban Legend?? Sounds very fishy.

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?Urban Legend?? Sounds very fishy.

That is what I was gonna say - I just spent two weeks with some dentists pulling teeth and the roots can be an inch deep and very difficult to pull - so to say they fall out in two weeks is questionable to me too . . . . heading off to snopes.com . . .

steph

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
?Urban Legend??
Quite possibly.
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You may need to review the Belmont report. Your hospital should also have an IRB that may be able to give you some info.

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"voluntary" may be subjective especially if there is possible coercion from an authority figure.

youall may need to read about the rights of human subjects in research trials.....

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.
Hold on! Wasn't anyone here awake during Sociology 101?

Nope.

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Say Goodnight grace90.

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