Would you volunteer as a test subject in research on a vaccine or drug that could potentially save millions of lives?
The researchers assure you that you will be well cared for and will experience no long-term threats to your health (at least as far as they know from studies in mice).
Consistent with testing protocols, however, you won’t know if you are part of the control or the experimental (AKA, test or treatment) group.
What specific disease or condition would you consider being worth the potential risk to your health for you to participate?
Or is there no disease/condition that would make you willing to participate? Explain.
How would you justify your decision to participate or not in the study to your family and friends?
Now imagine you’re 65 years old (but in good health)—does this alter your thinking? Explain how and why.
If it doesn’t alter your thinking, is there an age where it would?
