Opinion Bitter pills
The main drawbacks of clinical trials are inadequate homework.
* This refers to Trials and errors (IE,October 23). The main drawbacks of clinical trials are inadequate homework and a lack of transparency on the part of investigators. Sometimes,a predetermined conclusion affects the process of the trials. Anxious to arrive at the desired results,investigators fail to maintain thorough records that may indicate otherwise. The skills of the personnel conducting trials must also be reviewed. A clinical trial is a laborious,often thankless,task that involves many persons. All of them may not have the requisite training. Though a written consent is taken from the subjects,they are often only partially aware of the contents of the document. The shortage of efficient translators adds to the problem of keeping subjects informed. Given these problems,the apex courts directive that there be audio-visual records of consent is a welcome step. But the feasibility of such a measure is debatable,considering the way these trials are conducted. There should be coordination at all levels,with the government taking the lead,to conduct responsible clinical trials.
Ganapathi Bhat
Akola
Atom of trust
* India needs to balance its ties with the US,and with China and Russia (Difficult partners,IE,October 21). It is precariously poised as far as its energy needs are concerned and development suffers because of the acute shortage of energy inputs. Nuclear energy,though an attractive alternative,cannot yet meet all of Indias energy requirements,largely because of the scarcity of uranium. In spite of having reached a nuclear deal with the US,the supply of uranium is yet to begin. The exploitation of nuclear energy is also fraught with safety concerns. Developed nations want a nuclear safety law in which their liability will be minimum in case of a disaster. But such a one-sided approach may not be acceptable to India. India,Russia and China should come together and share common concerns.
S. Shankar Singh
Foggy ideas
* The fear expressed by Pratap Bhanu Mehta in in article,Fog ahead (IE,October 23),of a country ruled by courts and the CBI is appropriate. The court has not only encroached on policy space but also given the CBI more investigative space,which disturbs the balance of institutional power. It also instils fear in honest bureaucrats and businessmen alike.
Sagar Patil
Puzzling words
* One fails to understand the purpose of the Jammu visit of Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. He blamed JuD chief Hafiz Saeed for intrusions into Indian territory. It seemed to suggest that he was taking the weight of responsibility off the Pakistan army
and government.
H.L. Sharma
Amritsar
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