Gen Z: The Generation That's Afraid to Participate in Medical Trials
The notion that Gen Z prefers staying home and going to bed early over hitting the club has become an oft-repeated stereotype. However, it's not just their social preferences that are getting a bad rap – this generation is also being accused of shying away from participating in medical trials.
For those who didn't live through the "wild" days of the 1980s and 1990s, medical trials were once considered a rite of passage for young people. It was an opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research, potentially change lives, and – let's be honest – earn some extra cash. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency requires human medicines to undergo rigorous testing on humans before they reach the market.
The stakes can be high, as evident from a 2006 trial for autoimmune diseases that left six volunteers with severe swelling, disfigurement, and life-threatening organ failure. On the other hand, participating in medical trials can also uncover new side effects that might not be apparent otherwise – like aspirin's role as a blood thinner or some antidepressants' ability to curb nicotine withdrawal.
A seasoned journalist who has had his fair share of medical trials remembers being tempted by easy payouts during university days. He recalls taking psychology tests for £20 cash and participating in bizarre experiments, such as having a new "invisible" stitching that disintegrated or even getting his big toe amputated and sewn back on.
In Sydney, the journalist continued to participate in medical trials for various pharmaceutical companies, including a stint under an ultraviolet light for three hours to test sun creams. He also guzzled anti-ulcer drugs and gave blood samples, all in exchange for cash. However, one trial involved giving up alcohol – an experience that could be seen as its own clinical trial.
The journalist's most memorable trial was when he had a 17-lumen silicone tube inserted into his nose, down his throat, around his digestive system, and out of his bottom to study the relationship between pressure waves in different parts of the colon. The insertion process left him gagging, and the entire ordeal took three days.
In light of Gen Z's reluctance to participate in medical trials, it's worth considering that this generation may be missing out on opportunities to contribute to new treatments that won't find approval as trials stall. Researchers might also miss discovering side effects that occur specifically in young people.
The journalist concludes by saying that he was willing to do whatever it took for the sake of medicine and money – even if it meant enduring some uncomfortable and potentially humiliating experiences. He urges Gen Z to follow suit, acknowledging that their participation is crucial for advancing medical science.
So, come on, Gen Z – pull your pants down in the name of medical science, like this seasoned journalist did all those years ago. The future of humanity's health may depend on it.
The notion that Gen Z prefers staying home and going to bed early over hitting the club has become an oft-repeated stereotype. However, it's not just their social preferences that are getting a bad rap – this generation is also being accused of shying away from participating in medical trials.
For those who didn't live through the "wild" days of the 1980s and 1990s, medical trials were once considered a rite of passage for young people. It was an opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research, potentially change lives, and – let's be honest – earn some extra cash. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency requires human medicines to undergo rigorous testing on humans before they reach the market.
The stakes can be high, as evident from a 2006 trial for autoimmune diseases that left six volunteers with severe swelling, disfigurement, and life-threatening organ failure. On the other hand, participating in medical trials can also uncover new side effects that might not be apparent otherwise – like aspirin's role as a blood thinner or some antidepressants' ability to curb nicotine withdrawal.
A seasoned journalist who has had his fair share of medical trials remembers being tempted by easy payouts during university days. He recalls taking psychology tests for £20 cash and participating in bizarre experiments, such as having a new "invisible" stitching that disintegrated or even getting his big toe amputated and sewn back on.
In Sydney, the journalist continued to participate in medical trials for various pharmaceutical companies, including a stint under an ultraviolet light for three hours to test sun creams. He also guzzled anti-ulcer drugs and gave blood samples, all in exchange for cash. However, one trial involved giving up alcohol – an experience that could be seen as its own clinical trial.
The journalist's most memorable trial was when he had a 17-lumen silicone tube inserted into his nose, down his throat, around his digestive system, and out of his bottom to study the relationship between pressure waves in different parts of the colon. The insertion process left him gagging, and the entire ordeal took three days.
In light of Gen Z's reluctance to participate in medical trials, it's worth considering that this generation may be missing out on opportunities to contribute to new treatments that won't find approval as trials stall. Researchers might also miss discovering side effects that occur specifically in young people.
The journalist concludes by saying that he was willing to do whatever it took for the sake of medicine and money – even if it meant enduring some uncomfortable and potentially humiliating experiences. He urges Gen Z to follow suit, acknowledging that their participation is crucial for advancing medical science.
So, come on, Gen Z – pull your pants down in the name of medical science, like this seasoned journalist did all those years ago. The future of humanity's health may depend on it.
, they probably didn't have Instagram to worry about all the likes and followers. Nowadays, everyone's too busy taking selfies to care about contributing to scientific progress. And honestly, can we really blame them? The whole idea of voluntarily inserting a 17-lumen silicone tube into your nose sounds super sketchy 
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. It's time to shift the focus from "pulling your pants down" for medicine and towards prioritizing our own mental health 
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I mean, have you ever heard of a clinical trial? They're super important for finding new meds and treatments. I had my friend take part in one back in uni and she was a bit nervous but cool, got some cash out of it too 
. But the thing is, some people might be worried about the risks or stuff... I feel like Gen Z is missing out on being part of something super important for humanity's future 
. We should all try to contribute in our own way, you know? Even if it's just a simple test or two 
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like who knows what could be discovered next?! and think about all the people who need help now but aren't getting it cuz trials are stalled 
i'm not saying its easy or fun, but we gotta be willing to put in that work for the greater good 
. Those who participated back then might have had more to gain from the experience than just cash 
. They were likely part of something bigger, contributing to life-saving meds or treatments that could benefit future generations 
. But what if they're missing out on a chance to make a real difference? The more people who participate in medical trials, the better equipped researchers will be to develop treatments that work specifically for young people 
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. Gen Z is just as capable of contributing to this progress as anyone else 
. Let's not write them off based on stereotypes 
. They might be more hesitant, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be encouraged to participate 
Medical trials can be super sketchy and scary, especially for Gen Z who's already worried about their mental health 
That would be super bad news!
. Like, medical breakthroughs can change lives and stuff 
. And maybe they should also think about the potential risks 
. I'm not saying they can't participate in trials at all - but maybe they just need a bit more guidance and info 
! Let's hope they come around soon 
!
Like, I've seen my friends get sick with something crazy and then just sort of disappear from school for a while. You'd think they'd be all about trying to help figure out why that happened! 
the whole thing sounds kinda overhyped to me... i mean, sure, participating in medical trials can be life-changing and help find new treatments, but gen z isn't shying away from it - they just have more options now 
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. six volunteers in a 2006 trial experiencing severe swelling and life-threatening organ failure is no joke 
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. We all need to weigh our own personal risks and benefits before signing up for something like that.
. It's definitely worth considering, especially if we want to help advance medical science and save lives.
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. My friend's cousin did sign up for a clinical trial when they were younger and they ended up discovering a super rare side effect of the medication that helped doctors identify a potential new treatment