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Medical research might face challenges with greater transparency

Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio

A new studyshows people are concerned about how their medical samples might be used in medical research. 

Donated blood, tissue and other body samples play a critical role in medical research

Tom Tomlinson is the director of Michigan State University’s Center for Ethics and Humanities.

He says 68% of people say they’re willing to give blanket consent.  

But that number drops when people are told their samples may be used in controversial research.

“I think it raises of the question of what is the public’s role in making decisions about research priorities,” says Tomlinson.

Tomlinson says greater transparency may make the process more costly for researchers.   

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.