This paper is critical of the conduct of some clinical trials in Myanmar. The abstract is below. The full paper is attached or you can email him for a copy. It is on the web at http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/content/3/1/10
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Health, human rights, and the conduct of clinical research within oppressed populations
Abstract:
Background: Clinical trials evaluating interventions for infectious diseases require enrolling
participants that are vulnerable to infection. As clinical trials are conducted in increasingly
vulnerable populations, issues of protection of these populations become challenging. In settings
where populations are forseeably oppressed, the conduct of research requires considerations that
go beyond common ethical concerns and into issues of international human rights law.
Discussion: Using examples of HIV prevention trials in Thailand, hepatitis-E prevention trials in
Nepal and malaria therapeutic trials in Burma (Myanmar), we address the inadequacies of current
ethical guidelines when conducting research within oppressed populations. We review existing
legislature in the United States and United Kingdom that may be used against foreign
investigators if trial hardships exist. We conclude by making considerations for research
conducted within oppressed populations.




