There are many recent high profile cases which have made theheadlines and increased public awareness and concerns.
One of these cases wasthe drug testing trials on humans that have had unexpected and fatal results. This trial was a “first in human” phase 1 trial to test adrug that was aimed to treat anxiety and motor disorders related to Parkinson,chronic pains in people with cancer. The Biotrial (French contract-research organization) who producedthis drug stated that the drug was an FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase)inhibitor. The brain as well as other body parts produces this enzyme forneurotransmitters to be broken down. If this enzyme is inhibited by the FAAHinhibitors, endocannabinoids are stimulated and generated which have the samepain killers affects as cannabis. This is because both activate the same typeof neural receptors which may have painkilling properties to treat painsymptoms in the body. Public concerns:As the trial was carried out, it was notified that five ofthe participants that were tested were hospitalized due to many organ failuresand adverse side effects.
One participant unfortunately died because of thedrug and so, this clinical trial held in France was labelled as a tragicfailure. The public was aware of this drug testing on humans as theorganisation were recruiting people to take part in it. However, as theincidents during the trial were finally acknowledged by the public, no otherinformation about the experiment and the steps taken were revealed or discussedwhich have left the public to be left in the dark, unaware if the drugs arestill being tested on or any other official information of the experiment. Thiscaused a rise of concerns in the public as the drug testing that were oncenoted to be the new pain killers for humans for pain reliefs, have now causedmany fatal fallouts and the public are still unaware if the drug testing iscontinuing or not, leaving some suspicious and worried about the volunteer’s safety.Another concern raised by the public involves the two newlylaws introduced to the French government. These two changes include, thestrengthening of medical-safety in France, which was set up due to diabetesdrug being removed as the drug was suspected to cause countless of deaths in2009. The 2011 law, made sure that the volunteers that are taken part are awareof what the experiment will include and any implications that might occur. Thisis done for them to be aware of what exactly they are taking part in so thatthey make their final decision.
This is done to ensure that their safety is putfirst as it is crucial. However, in 2012 a new law was set up that counterattacks the first law, the rule involves the speed up of therapeutic process inFrance and make companied to carry out clinical trials through researchinvolving humans. This caused concerns in the public because it seems like themedical safety principles that were put in place may be compromised and losepriority. This makes the medical safety of the volunteers less important andfocused on as the new law implies that the therapeutic advancements are themain goal in order for France to be a place of attraction to attract differentcompanied for clinical trials to be carried out.
