Several UCI scientists contacted Tuesday said they are concerned that the recent events at the fertility center will taint patients' perceptions about medical research, and could hurt the medical center's bottom line. Any news that's negative is not something that any major medical center is looking for. You never know how people might react. Others worry that the recent headlines might scare away potential research participants, said cardiologist Dr. David Abrahamson, who practices at both UCI and St. Joseph Hospital. Among the allegations under investigation are whether a Bakersfield woman's eggs were used in research without her consent.
People read about that and they start questioning.
Other research can be hampered by this type of publicity. St. Joseph held a seminar last week on human-subjects research to answer patients' questions, he said. More than 50 people attended. Michael Berns, director of the Beckman Laser Institute, said his main concern is to determine the facts of the case. I'd like to see both sides of the story.