E-drug: Drug testing in developing countries (cont)
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Legal Recourse and Remedies against U.S. companies who violate the
rights and security of research and trial subjects in the developing world.
The Washington Post series on research and trials in the developing
world is disclosing to the public problems already known to many who
read these postings. While there are doubtless many American
companies who operate ethically, there are many who do not. The
violation of the human and legal rights of subjects gives rise to
legal questions. Criminal and civil laws may be violated when
individuals or companies act unethically toward subjects in research
and trials.
The Cry For the World Foundation is launching a legal inquiry into the
actions of American companies whose actions may be unethical. The
inquiry will seek to determine what recourse or remedies may be
available to subjects who are harmed by their participation in
unethical or illegal research and trials.
To assist the inquiry, we request factual information concerning alleged
ethical violations. If you are in a position to supply such information,
please do so. The information you supply and the source of the
information will be kept confidential. We will create a data base of
all information we receive with an eye to better understanding what
is taking place in the developing world. U.S. lawyers will then
analyze the information to determine what U.S. and international laws
may apply to the activities of U.S. companies. The results of this
analysis will be posted on E-drug and elsewhere.
Please submit information to * shillstrom@cryfoundation.org *
Ethical rules and their effective enforcement are essential to the
protection of subjects of research and trials in all countries. But, in
addition to this protection, human rights and tort laws already provide
protection. If responsible people in a position to know about unethical
research and trials will report factual information about them, it will
become possible to find ways for victims to obtain legal recourse. To the
extent that abusive companies face monetary damages and criminal
penalties, they will be deterred from committing the abuse in the
first place. By discovering and publicizing what legal recourse and
remedies are available, we hope to help victims recover for damages
they suffer and to deter abusive research and trials in the first
place. So your help will be appreciated.
Scott D. Hillstrom, J.D.
Cry For the World Foundation
scott.hillstrom@analyticorp.co.nz
+(651) 452-6003; Mobile +(612) 730-5884; Fax (312) 803-0175
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