The final phase of drugs testing and clinical trials are human trials. But who takes part in these? Are they safe? Is there an alternative? Here, pupils will learn about the processes that a drug must undergo before it can be used to treat patients.

This chemistry lesson explores the ethics of testing on animals and humans, the need to exclude the placebo effect and the difficulties in making sure that the tests have identified all chance of harm. Throughout the lesson students are encouraged to form their own opinions and evaluate the evidence.

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