THIRTY-EIGHT students of Andhra
University, Visakhapatnam, were used
as guinea pigs for trials of a colon cancer drug containing a radioactive element since December 1996. The shocking discovery was made recently when
some students complained of headaches, body-aches and stomach pains.
Three students had also developed
problems in the urinary and digestive
tracts. The students had given an
undertaking before the trials that they
were "volunteering for the experiments-. They were told that there
would be no side-effects.
The Andhra University project sponsored by the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research and the University
Grants Commission, had sought to find
out the thickness of the coating of
the gaur gum (a herbal agent) required
to release the actual drug in the colon.
The radioactive drug containing sodium
chloride was included in the formulation
which was used for the trials on the
students. The vice-chancellor of the
university has set up an inquiry committee and also promised that the university would provide health insurance to the students if it was proven that their
illness was a direct outcome of the
experiment.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.