No. Clinical research is heavily regulated by the federal government and by the medical profession. You are protected from unauthorized research without your consent through informed consent.

Informed consent means that your physician and/or study nurse will thoroughly explain the clinical trial to you and may provide a package of information on the trial along with an informed consent form. The informed consent form provides information on the length of the study, potential side effects (if known) from the drug being tested, your rights to withdraw from the study, and how the study is considered completed.

The consent form will also explain how the study protocol is designed, whether or not a placebo is to be used, and what kind of tests will be required. At the end of this page you will find a glossary of terms that may be used in the informed consent form. If you don't understand any of the terms, it is important that you ask your physician or nurse.

Once you are satisfied that you have a full understanding of the nature and scope of the trial and decide to proceed, you may sign the informed consent form. However, remember that you always have the right to say no. If you are uncomfortable with what you are being asked to do in the study, or if you don't fully understand it, or if you simply don't want to participate any longer, do not feel like you have to participate.

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