A new information booklet for patients has been produced that emphasises the advantages of taking part in clinical trials and the safety precautions that are taken.

Launched by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, the booklet—together with an accompanying leaflet—also recommends the questions to which patients should seek answers when considering taking part in trials, and it describes the label “guinea pig” as misleading.

“Clinical trials are the best way to compare different approaches to preventing and treating illness and health problems. Without trials, there is a risk that people could be given treatments which have no advantage, waste resources and might even …