The Participation of Underrepresented Minorities in Clinical Research

Abstract

The Author notes that a variety of factors have contributed to the scientific community's deliberate exclusion of African-Americans from certain types of clinical studies and to the understandable reluctance of African-Americans to participate in clinical research. Part II of this Article examines these factors and considers appropriate responses that may encourage African-Americans and other minorities to reconsider research participation. Part III explores the scientific debate over the appropriate role of race in medical research and considers the impact of this debate on minority participation. Finally, Part IV provides an overview of existing research protections for vulnerable populations, examines some of the assumptions that current research policy makes about the connection between race and vulnerable status, and suggests some improvements that may help to foster inclusiveness while avoiding future research abuses.

Keywords: African-Americans, clinical research, research trials, minorities, health law