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The Secret World of Pharmaceutical Trial Subjects

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:22:24 GMT

clipped by: delete101
clipper's remarks: Although the tests can be risky, you can always omit the studies with obvious potential for harm or extreme discomfort such as excessive x-rays, radioactive pills, etc. Hell, these guys make $50,000/yr PT and they can take a vacation whenever they want. Where do I sign up? Would you do it?

Clip Source: www.wired.com

Drug Test Cowboys: The Secret World of Pharmaceutical Trial Subjects

A full-time medical test subject, Nick F. has earned $80,000 participating in some two dozen studies.
Photograph by Michael Lewis

Every year, millions of volunteers participate in clinical trials in return for quick cash. A few turn pro.

Each year, US scientists require a total of at least 10 million healthy test subjects, says Adil Shamoo, chair of Circare, a human research watchdog organization. Depending on duration, rigor, and risk, medical studies can pay as much as $10,000 each.

The work isn't demanding, but it can be dangerous.

These individuals endure uncomfortable side effects, lackluster food, and endless poking and prodding in return for a flexible work schedule and minimal responsibility. With diligence, luck, and a willingness to fudge their age and other details to match researchers' requirements, professional guinea pigs can earn $50,000 a year or more.

Tags: studies

Dr blogs own malpractice trial, loses

Thu, 31 May 2007 14:31:07 GMT

clipped by: jklugman
clipper's remarks: Pediatrician Robert Lindeman started an anonymous blog, "drfleablog", where he talked about pediatrics issues. He was sued for failing to diagnose diabetes in a little boy who eventually died from it. In his blog, he would talk about the malpractice suit and make fun of the plaintiffs and the jury.

Since he knew that malpractice cases hinge on what juries think of the doctor's moral character, the revelation that he was the author of the blog meant that his asshole nature would be exposed to the jury and his case would be sunk.

Clip Source: www.boston.com

As Ivy League-educated pediatrician Robert P. Lindeman sat on the stand in Suffolk Superior Court this month, defending himself in a malpractice suit involving the death of a 12-year-old patient, the opposing counsel startled him with a question.

Was Lindeman Flea?

Flea, jurors in the case didn't know, was the screen name for a blogger who had written often and at length about a trial remarkably similar to the one that was going on in the courtroom that day.

In his blog, Flea had ridiculed the plaintiff's case and the plaintiff's lawyer. He had revealed the defense strategy. He had accused members of the jury of dozing.

Lindeman admitted that he was, in fact, Flea.

The next morning, on May 15, he agreed to pay what members of Boston's tight-knit legal community describe as a substantial settlement

Mulvey had telegraphed that she was ready to share Lindeman's blog -- containing his unvarnished views of lawyers, jurors, and the legal process -- with the jury.

Tags: blogging, malpractice, medicine

China Food Boss Sentenced To Death

Tue, 29 May 2007 18:58:38 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: Oh my goodness!

Clip Source: mwcnews.net

China food boss sentenced to death

The former head of China's food and drug safety regulatory body has been sentenced to death for corruption.

On the same day officials have announced a series of measures for recalling unsafe food products.

The news comes as China's leaders grapple with the fallout from a string of health alerts over toxins in food and other products.

During his trial Zheng was accused of taking up to $780,000 in bribes to approve untested medicines, including an antibiotic that killed at least 10 patients.

Food safety fears

Beijing has pledged tougher inspections amid growing domestic and international alarm over tainted products. Several countries have already imposed bans or voiced concerns about Chinese imports:

Beijing has promised to subject all food and drugs to more rigorous inspections

Earlier this month authorities announced the detention of managers from two Chinese firms linked to contaminated pet food sold in the US.

Tags: death penalty, execution, china, human rights, amnesty

Internet Terrorism Judge, "What's a Website?"

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:03:29 GMT

clipped by: BobbyRutan
clipper's remarks: Reminds me of when they gave the Texas State Legislature laptops but hardly any of them could use them.

Clip Source: www.reuters.com

"Web site" baffles Internet terrorism trial judge

A British judge admitted on Wednesday he was struggling to cope with basic terms like "Web site" in the trial of three men accused of inciting terrorism via the Internet.

The trouble is I don't understand the language. I don't really understand what a Web site is," he told a London court during the trial of three men charged under anti-terrorism laws.

Prosecutor Mark Ellison briefly set aside his questioning to explain the terms "Web site" and "forum." An exchange followed in which the 59-year-old judge acknowledged: "I haven't quite grasped the concepts.

Concluding Wednesday's session and looking ahead to testimony Thursday by a computer expert, the judge told Ellison: "Will you ask him to keep it simple, we've got to start from basics."

Tags: internet, law, trial, al qaeda, bush, conservative, democrat, terrorism, politics, republican