savexourxship

Do you think it is morally wrong to pay suffering alcoholics to participate in a research study?

I've been seeing ads listed in the area. They are looking for people who drink a certain amount, daily, and have prolonged use and relapse problems. Worst part, there is no treatment.

I'm just curious how people feel about this.

LaFemme

I think there would need to be a good reason for it. If they are trying to learn about the disease I don't see anything wrong with it. What they learn may not help the people they are paying but might lead to new knowledge that will save lives in the future.

Hard to say.

jamdls

I think it would be a waste of time and money personally, but I don't see it as 'morally' wrong any more than studying any other illness

savexourxship

I forgot to mention something. In order to participate they need to continue they're drinking habits.

kargy

I'm not sure about it being immoral, but I think an offer of treatment at the end of the study would be appropriate. Plus I'm not sure how smart it is for them to rely on active alcoholics to participate reliably. I don't know how the studies work, but would these people be driving or commuting someplace to participate?

savexourxship

Well one the things that annoys me is the add is listed up to 50 miles from the location.

The idea of paying alcoholics to drink, and drive for an hour pisses me off.

Like some community college is actually going to uncover some treatment lol.

Live

I support medical research.

Spawn

Sounds like a government thing. I know the government is about harm reduction and not about treatment,
I've always thought this was wrong!
But what can we do?

EricL

I don't see anything wrong with it. These kinds of studies are done all the time with overeaters, smokers, etc. There is nothing unethical about. they aren't coercing people.

Also, in order for such a study to be done the investigators would have to have their research methods and theories approved by an IRB consisting of other scientists, bioethics guys, etc.

Human testing is certainly not done willy nilly anymore.

blackstrat6

I don't see it being wrong as long as people aren't driving drunk to participate. They do medical studies of all kinds of mental drugs with these types of things, whats the difference?

I want to add.. If not volunteers then it would be animal testing or the military would do it without knowledge of the testee. Or a prisoner testing? Not the ideal subjects to study. lol

thisisme

Maybe they are trying to dispel all the bullsh*t the alcohol industry shoves down society's throat.
I even read an article that stated it was ok to have one drink a week while pregnant, or that crap about red wine being good for you.
It's the grapes!
The alcohol industry makes Joseph Goebbels look like Mother Teresa.
Any study that dismisses this bull is fine with me.

skg

Are they paying for the booze? What brands, or is that optional? Refrigerator box included? Full time? These are important details and inquiring minds wanna know!

Spawn

good question

blackstrat6

I love it!! True Alcoholic thinking!!!!

Spawn

savexourxship

Lol. $500 AT THE END of a 25 week study, with full participation required.

blackstrat6

I'd say its totally not worth it. Think how much more you would save by just not drinking for 25 weeks. Bonus = you would also have 6 mos sober by then.

skg

They'll never get the good, dedicated ones if they're not willing to pay for 'em. I'd need the $500 up front for the first two weeks' supplies, and then $500 every two weeks there after. What about outstanding achievements--I used to get wrecked twice or three times a day on holidays--is there overtime? Double time? Hazardous duty pay for wobbling in traffic? Seems like they'd need some liability insurance, too. I am afraid they never gave it much thought.

GettingStronger2

I would want to know what the information is being collected for? If it is not for treatment, what is it for? Is it to understand alcoholism? Or what. . . ?

leo21

I think I understand alcoholism just fine..........