Would You Enroll Your Child in a Research Study?

I would not involve my child in any of these types of investigational studies. It could be very harmful for your child. And the mere chance of harming one's child seems way too high a price to pay. It is clear that the 'complete toxic' load on each individual child isn't being considered when pharmacutical drug pushers, many of who in their retirement, sit in key positions with the FDA, are ignoring the reality of epidemic autism rates in this country. Your child is unique and you have been given an incredible responsibility to make decisions for your child until they are old enough to do it for themselves. They are not social or medical experiments. If you have a hobby of reading, research issues related to double-blind studies and how western medicine is greatly hampered due to this approach. Read about Morris Fishbein, who headed the AMA, suppressed alternative methods of healing for years due to self-interest and greed. Read about the countless number of parents who vaccinate their children and then see a stark regression in behavior that is undeniably related to a specific innoculation date. Read why other countries are reconsidering vaccinating their children.

There's no way I'd enroll my kids in a clinical study. Granted, mine are 4 and 18 months, but still ...

I'd be leery of enrolling myself, but at least I would understand all the risk potential and understand the terminology they'd use to let me know what to look for. But something like a rapid or irregular heartbeat, for example, as a possible side effect isn't something the average kid is going to be able to articulate and vocalize. (For this same reason, I won't give a medication that has a chance of cardiac, respiratory or neurological side effects - even my highly verbal 4-year-old would have a hard time conveying any of those to me.)

Since I worked in pharmaceutical development (marketing) I know that anything they're going to test on a person has gone through all the in-vitro and in-vivo testing it can and is assumed to not be super scary, but since even stuff that's been on the market can be pulled for unplanned reasons, I tend to use a "if it's been on the market for a number of years" criteria when allowing medications and treatments for my children.

Added: I'm one of those parents who doesn't vaccinate anyways, so even if I'd consider a medication study, a vaccine study would freak me out way too much for even me to participate :)

Hell no! I would never ever EVER put my kid in a vaccine research study! But then after many years of research I do not vaccinate period. It is a very questionable practice with limited success.

I have heard that some people like to do the research studies because they do not have insurance. This way they get a physical and other tests, they normally cannot afford. I wonder if parents without insurance would consider this for their children? The state does offer insurance and medical care, but it is pretty involved to apply for.. Or maybe if they have a family history where they have a health issue that would make this personal. Lost a child, sibling or young relative due to this condition or disease.

I personally would not have done this with our child, unless I had first spoken with our primary care Doctor or if the Doctor were participating in the study somehow himself.

I have chronic migraines and take medications that are wonderful. My Neurologist reminded me that these medications were once tested. The reason he talked to me about it was because he was helping with a study and was looking for volunteers. I considered it, but was not able to fit it into my schedule..

About 18 years ago, my husband took part in a clinical research study. He met all the requirements including not smoking for the three days of the test. Since he has always been a non-smoker, the testing facility people were happy to have him. He enjoyed the time which included plenty of TV time. The $300 given him was nice, too. This related, here is what we later said: "What were we thinking?" And, he never accepted another offer. There is no way we would ever want our children or grandchildren to participate is a study for medication of any kind. In fact, we don't take medication ourselves with two exceptions. In other words, we have found a better way to stay healthy and so have our family members. Each family has to make their own choice but I must say that I shudder to think of little ones being given any drug that is not absolutely necessary.

ABSOLUTELY NOT, unless my child had some rare disease and the study was her only hope. I am pro-vaccinations, but I only give my child the ones that have at least 5 years of statistics behind them and I review those. I understand that we'll never have cures for this or that if people don't submit to testing, but that's too *#$&* bad. My child is not a guinea pig. We are here to protect our children, not experiment on them. Could you really live with yourself if your child contracted some horrible side effect or worse died? Are you willing to sacrifice your child in the name of science? I hope not.

When Gardasil came out, I was telling my doctor that I'm very skeptical about new vaccines. She said that I should be. This coming from a pro-vaccination doctor who had just given that very shot to her 13-year-old daughter. She said she only did it because her daughter asked for it. Vaccinations are a very serious judgement call. You simply cannot take it lightly.