Thinking about a clinical trial? Know the risks and benefits

The call went out for volunteers for coronavirus vaccine trials. Being a spontaneous, civic duty-minded fella, I raised my hand. My services haven’t been requested yet, but the idea of participating in a clinical trial for anything has its appeal — and risks.

From the National Institute on Aging, benefits include getting a treatment before it’s available to the rest of the public, taking a more active role in your health care and helping others.

Drawbacks? Potential serious side effects, the treatment may not work well or at all, or you’ll be part of that boring control group — enjoy the placebos.

– Dan Stefano, WordWrite