Guinea Pig Zero: An Anthology of the Journal for Human Research Subjects

by Robert Helms

From first person accounts of pharmaceutical studies gone bad to intricate medical histories, Guinea Pig Zero provides a fascinating look at the people who sell their bodies to science. While the book provides advice to present-day research subjects (by rating research clinics), the book also provides context by investigating the history and ethics behind this important, but little-known medical industry.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1891053841
• ISBN13: 9781891053849
• Release Date: February 2005
• Publisher: Garrett County Press
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

eye-opening for researchers

I work in the research field with human participants (we don't say "test subjects" in my workplace), so I come at this issue from the opposite side from the author. Because of that, I wasn't sure what to expect to feel while reading this book. I felt that it was very well done, very interesting and helped me see why certain things have to be done certain ways in research. It also made me glad that we do things the way that we do in the study I work on... some of the bad experiences recounted in this book would definitely not happen where I work. The pieces that are written from personal experience are much more interesting to read than the ones that give historical perspective. However, the latter are important reading for those who work in the research field or are considering becoming research participants. These pieces help show why we have strict laws governing research and give some perspective about why so many people fear volunteering for research. I passed this book around my workplace, and several of my coworkers commented favorably on it.