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World's Largest Medical Experiment

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the half-a-million-volunteers dept.

eldavojohn writes "Recently in the UK, a Biobank project has been rolled out to 'unpick' the genetic basis of diseases such as cancer on half a million volunteers. This is based on the success of a three-month pilot phase conducted on 3,800 participants. From the article: 'Over the next four years, blood and urine samples will be collected from volunteers aged 40 to 69, to help scientists unravel the genetic foundations of common diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and joint problems. If you live in the UK, agreeing to this survey may involve a little more than you would expect."

5 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. What they really need to get this rolling...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is a couple of scantilly clad nurses. Then they can collect DNA too.

    1. Re:What they really need to get this rolling...... by 2.7182 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think such a study would be seminal work in this area....

  2. The largest experiment that we know about... by BigZaphod · · Score: 4, Funny

    What about all the fluoride in the water? It's a conspiracy... a secret experiment that's been conducted for a generation. Who knows what effects that has on us? It might be turning us all into communist spies. Perhaps we'll all wake up one day under the influence of a massive KGB mind control beam. Anything could happen! We must protect our precious bodily fluids at all costs!

    --
    Hexy - a strategy game for iPhone/iPod Touch
  3. Fine by FreeUser · · Score: 4, Funny

    We need people to die..

    Fine. You first.

    --
    The Future of Human Evolution: Autonomy
  4. Re:What? by Dhalka226 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Would the submitter care to enlighten us on how the survey involves more than we would expect?

    NO! Then you would expect it!!!