His university, which could have profited from his invention, did not monitor his work. It was his staff members, worried that he might harm patients, who finally blew the whistle. Studies are underway in universities, other research centers and doctors' offices. Shocked into action, officials in the Department of Health and Human Services vow to improve protections. Patient advocates say changes are overdue.
Research is big business.
It is not scientists racing for a cure. His death pointed to flaws in the protections system and prompted a national debate on clinical studies. Patient advocates say the government has a long way to go to improve protections. So much research is going on that officials don't even know how many studies are underway in the USA and overseas, although the number reaches into the tens of thousands. Also, there are no reliable statistics on how many people volunteer for studies.