Human Test Subjects

For many terminal cancer patients, participating in drug trials is the last resort to obtain potentially life-extending drugs. Some patients have extended their life span by 10 years, but others are not so lucky. Globally, there are thousands of trials for cancer drugs every year, and treatments have become increasingly individualized due to the difference in symptoms, physical conditions, immunity and the phases of illness. In comparison with treatments that are futile, it is even sadder to have no cure at all. In China, many drug test subjects are cancer patients who are unable to afford medical costs. According to the China Food and Drug Administration, China is home to only 251 institutions which are licensed to conduct clinical drug trials. To make matters worse, China has a very low proportion of drug innovators, driving a growing number of terminally ill patients to seek drug trials abroad simply for a chance to survive.