I read in a newspaper article last week that within months, a small number of trauma victims could wake up in Portland-area hospitals to find they have been used as guinea pigs.
An experimental blood substitute, called PolyHeme, may be used on some seriously injured patients with very low blood pressure without their permission in the near future. Perhaps 20 individuals a year in the metro area will receive the blood substitute.
Most medical studies require patient permission; Polyheme generally will go to people in shock or unconscious from massive blood loss. Federal rules allow some studies of lifesaving medicines where patients are unable to give their consent.
Before the study can get underway, researchers are required to teach metro area residents about the study and its potential benefits, ensuring there is no major objection.
Some Denver hospitals started testing PolyHeme last month. The manufacturer is funding a study planned for 20 U.S. cities.
I don't know if I agree with this type of testing. I think if some experimental procedure is going to be used on me, I want to know about it BEFORE it is implemented, and I want the courtesy of being asked if I want to participate. I may want to think about it, and perhaps do some research on my own. I want to know ahead of time what the pros and cons are. I may want to discuss it with family members.
The way I look at it is if we allow this type of testing now, it's just a matter of time before other types are implemented – without our consent. Keep in mind folks that several companies have already tested blood substitutes before. One such test was stopped in 1998 when patients died at a higher-than-expected rate. However, in all fairness, PolyHeme has passed tests in animals and humans with no ill results to date.
Now with all that said, since there are cities already doing the research, why don't we wait and see what results they turn up?
4 comments:
I find this scary. There should be another way to test this. Maybe on healthy volunteers first. I remember years ago being asked to use female hormones in exchange for free medicalt treatment.....of course they didn't call it a test. I'm so happy I said no. Look at the data coming out now, 10 years later. Not good.
The whole thing is a little disturbing. I guess I wouldn't want to be experimented on while unaware of the fact. Hmmm. Definitely thought provoking.
IF you were fatally injured and unable to make a decision and IF there was no human blood supply, you could give consent to the experiment. In a case where I was destined to die anyway - as human blood was not available, I may as well risk dying while providing information that could save someone else
I agree, I wouldn't want to be experimented on without consent. But you could almost look at it like organ donation. Assuming an educated public - perhaps you could carry the equivalent of an organ donor card. An experimental treatment consent card, if you will. (cont. below)
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