Young people today are perceived as being "boring" and less likely to participate in medical trials, but this perception couldn't be further from the truth. For those of us who lived through the '80s and '90s, taking part in medical trials was a rite of passage - often for financial gain, at least.
Before all the fuss about "boring" Gen Z, it's worth noting that human medicines need to undergo human testing before they can be made widely available. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is very clear on this point: trials are necessary to identify any unwanted side effects - after all, you don't want a cure for the common cold that also leads to your genitals falling off.
Of course, things have not always gone smoothly in medical trials. There was the Theralizumab trial of 2006, where six volunteers who received the drug ended up suffering severe swelling, disfigurement, and life-threatening organ failure - a sobering reminder of the risks involved.
But by declining to participate in these trials, Gen Z may be missing out on potential new treatments that could change lives. It's also worth considering that medicines aren't always tested on young people - so researchers might miss discovering side effects that only occur in this age group.
For me, personal experience was a major motivator when I took part in medical trials back in the day. As a student, I was often tempted by the prospect of cash - even if it meant enduring some pretty unpleasant procedures. In one memorable instance, I paid £20 to sit under an ultraviolet light for three hours at a Sydney testing facility; another time, I got £35 to guzzle anti-ulcer drugs or placebos - but neither experience was particularly thrilling.
However, the most memorable (and perhaps painful) trial was when I volunteered to have a long, 17-lumen silicone tube inserted through my nose and down my throat. This bizarre procedure was designed to study pressure waves in the digestive system - it took three days to complete, during which time I had to lie still under an X-ray machine for five hours with the tube wired to a machine.
Was it worth it? For me, certainly - although it's unlikely that Gen Z would be willing to endure such procedures on my behalf. So come on, young people: if you're not going to participate in medical trials out of a sense of duty or curiosity, then at least have the guts to do so for the sake of scientific progress and maybe even some extra cash.
Before all the fuss about "boring" Gen Z, it's worth noting that human medicines need to undergo human testing before they can be made widely available. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is very clear on this point: trials are necessary to identify any unwanted side effects - after all, you don't want a cure for the common cold that also leads to your genitals falling off.
Of course, things have not always gone smoothly in medical trials. There was the Theralizumab trial of 2006, where six volunteers who received the drug ended up suffering severe swelling, disfigurement, and life-threatening organ failure - a sobering reminder of the risks involved.
But by declining to participate in these trials, Gen Z may be missing out on potential new treatments that could change lives. It's also worth considering that medicines aren't always tested on young people - so researchers might miss discovering side effects that only occur in this age group.
For me, personal experience was a major motivator when I took part in medical trials back in the day. As a student, I was often tempted by the prospect of cash - even if it meant enduring some pretty unpleasant procedures. In one memorable instance, I paid £20 to sit under an ultraviolet light for three hours at a Sydney testing facility; another time, I got £35 to guzzle anti-ulcer drugs or placebos - but neither experience was particularly thrilling.
However, the most memorable (and perhaps painful) trial was when I volunteered to have a long, 17-lumen silicone tube inserted through my nose and down my throat. This bizarre procedure was designed to study pressure waves in the digestive system - it took three days to complete, during which time I had to lie still under an X-ray machine for five hours with the tube wired to a machine.
Was it worth it? For me, certainly - although it's unlikely that Gen Z would be willing to endure such procedures on my behalf. So come on, young people: if you're not going to participate in medical trials out of a sense of duty or curiosity, then at least have the guts to do so for the sake of scientific progress and maybe even some extra cash.
They're probably just being smart about it, considering all the stuff we've learned about trial participants and their rights. I mean, back when I was in my teens, I did some medical trials too, but they were mostly for fun money - not because I thought I'd be curing cancer or anything! 
The thing is, most medical research involves people in their 20s-30s, so it's hard to know if the drugs are safe and effective on younger people. By skipping out on trials, Gen Z might miss a chance to help make new treatments that could change lives... 
i mean, taking part in medical trials might not be the most exciting thing, but think about all the ppl who could benefit from new treatments and meds 
like my grandma used to get these awful meds that made her hair fall out, so yeah let's get some younger folks on board pls 
. I mean, we've all heard about these super-effective new meds that are saving lives, but how do they really know if they're safe? Young people need to step up and be part of the process - it's not all fun and games, trust me 
and having that crazy tube stuck up my nose... it was a real bummer, but worth it for the science.
). If we don't have people to test these meds on, how are researchers gonna find out if they work or if they'll kill us? It's all about progress and getting new treatments for life-threatening diseases.
- some of those trials were pretty lucrative. So yeah, it might not be the most glamorous thing to do, but it could change lives. Young people need to take responsibility for being part of this process - we're not just passive bystanders 
medical trials r a big deal! 
u dont no how many ppl might b benefit 4 life changin meds 
but if gen z dont participate, who gonna test them? 
i remember doing trials back in da day & it wasnt all fun n games 
. They think they're boring just because we don't wanna risk our health for meds that might not work or cause major side effects 
. Newsflash: it was kinda the same way back in my day, but I guess nowadays we have more options and can choose to stay safe 
). We're just making different choices, maybe based on our own values or experiences. Can't blame us for wanting to prioritize our health over some perceived sense of duty or curiosity 
. Like, what's wrong with these young folks? They're not going to risk their health just for a quick buck or to prove a point. My friends and I used to be all about participating in medical trials back in the day - we thought it was cool! We even got paid for some of those procedures 
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. But at the same time, they need to consider the bigger picture here. Do we really want to be the generation that missed out on a game-changing treatment because they were too scared or boring 
? I don't think so.
. From what I know, human testing is crucial to ensure medicines are safe for everyone, especially young people who might experience unique side effects that researchers wouldn't normally test on.
), but we can learn from those mistakes. Gen Z might be missing out on life-changing treatments if they don't participate in trials. And let's not forget, medicines aren't always tested on young people, so researchers might miss some valuable insights.
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