Clinical Research
Author: John Warren
INTRODUCTION:
Clinical trials are ever increasing by the day. In these modern times, given the fact that disease-causing agents are mutating by the day
clinical research and trials are necessary. In health or Medicare clinical trials refers to comparison tests of medicines, medications or
any medical treatment like medical devices against placebos, other devices or medications, or the official standard medical treatment
required for a patients condition.
In medical terms, a placebo is a medical preparation that is pharmacologically inert. Placebos are believed to have therapeutical effects
that are solely based on the power of suggestion. A placebo is medically administered in any mode that is legally and medically
approved for administering pharmaceutical products. This can be done using psychic surgery or it can also be done through faith
healing.
In some cases, there arises the issue of non-specific or subject-expectancy effects concerning placebos. This is commonly referred to
as the placebo effect. The placebo effect usually occurs when the symptoms inherent on the patient are altered by an otherwise inert
treatment. Some physicians consider this an aspect of the human physiology while others believe or consider it an illusion that usually
arises depending on the way that the medical experiments are conducted.
In analyzing this paper, I will seek to find out whether indeed it is unethical to use placebos while the original or the standard medication
is available. In addition, I will try to look at some of the different opinions held by individuals and or organizations and how these opinions
help or affect the process of clinical trials.
ANALYSIS:
Clinical research or trials vary greatly. This variation is usually dependent on available budget, involved parties, as well as the
researchers doing the research. As thus, clinical trials may be locally based on one clinic or hospital, a government research institute, or
it may be international in nature to a level that it is f