Medical Experimentation

What is medical experiment? Physicians conduct experiments when they try a treatment that is different from the accepted practice in their specialty.

Are experimental treatments always more dangerous than conventional treatments? No. In many cases the experimental treatment is being tried because it is believed to be safer or less painful than the conventional treatment.

Can I be experimented on without any consent? No. There are very strict ethical requirements that the doctor must fulfill to obtain consent for experimental treatment. Additionally, there are legal standards that the physician must meet to ensure that your consent is informed.

What are these requirements?

* You must be told the details of the proposed treatment, its risks, its possible benefits, and how it differs from the conventional treatment.

* You are entitled to know how the experimental treatment was developed and the basis for any claims that are made about its safety or effectiveness.

* You have the right to end the experimental treatment at any time and to be given conventional treatment.

* All possible efforts must be made to protect you from any unnecessary mental or physical suffering or injury.

If I am a charity patient, may I be required to participate in medical experiments? No. You cannot be required to participate in medical experiments to get medical care, charitable or otherwise.