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Clinical trials are the cornerstone of modern medicine, allowing researchers to test new treatments, diagnostic tools, and preventive measures that have the potential to save lives. While many people have a general understanding of what clinical trials entail, there are many surprising and fascinating facts that few people know about.

In this blog post, we'll be highlighting some of the most interesting aspects of clinical trials, from the importance of diversity among participants to the lengths scientists go to ensure accurate results. Whether you're considering volunteering for a clinical trial or simply curious about the inner workings of medical research, this post is sure to provide a wealth of intriguing insights into one of the most important fields of modern science! 

1.  The Age of Enlightenment in Europe in the 18th century saw the first known clinical trial in history held in 1747 by James Lind to study the effectiveness of citrus fruit in curing scurvy. 
2. In 1863, the first known use of a placebo in a clinical trial was when Dr. Austin Flint coordinated a 13-person trial for rheumatism that involved a placebo. 
3. Clinical trials are research studies on people that test new treatments for diseases or conditions.
4. Clinical trials are conducted to evaluate how a drug or device works in the body and how people react to a new treatment.
5. Clinical trials are conducted in different phases. For example, Phase I trials involve a small group of people to test safety, and Phase III trials involve a large group of people to demonstrate effectiveness.
6. In some cases, participants in clinical trials can receive payment or reimbursement for their expenses. 
7. All clinical trials must be approved by an ethics committee before they can be conducted. 
8. Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
9. The length of time required to complete a clinical trial varies, but it can take three to five years on average. 
10. Clinical trials involve collecting data from participants, which may involve monitoring their symptoms, taking blood tests, or using media imaging. 
11. Clinical trials first became standard practice in the 1800s after the Code of Ethics for Medical Experimentation was developed in 1747. 
12. The first randomized control trial of streptomycin in pulmonary tuberculosis was conducted in 1946. the trial was a model of meticulousness and implementation, with systematic enrollment criteria and data collection.  
13. The Declaration of Helsinki in 1964 established standards for ethical research involving human subjects.
14. In the early and mid-1900s, clinical trials of pharmaceutical drugs had to be approved by the FDA before they could be administered to human subjects.
15. The first paper, published in 1950 was a case-control study comparing lung cancer patients with matched controls by Austin Bradford Hill.
16. In the 1970s, the FDA began to regulate all clinical trials in the US, and created the Investigational New Drug (IND) Program that required all drugs intended for human use to have an IND before being tested on humans. 
17. Many clinical trials exclude certain groups such as older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with multiple chronic conditions. This is because researchers want to control variables in the study and limit potential complications. However, this can lead to a lack of diversity and limit the generalizability of the study's findings. 

In conclusion, clinical trials serve as the backbone of medical research, producing innovations that help healthcare providers save countless lives. These studies have contributed not only to the field of medicine but to the general welfare of human society as a whole. Despite this, public understanding of clinical trials remains limited, and misinformation still reigns about their importance. Taking the time to learn about these studies can help us make informed decisions about our health and even lead to better treatment options. Let us continue to support and appreciate the work of clinical researchers, as they are true heroes in the fight against diseases. 

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