Guinea Pig Zero: An Anthology of the Journal for Human Research Subjects

by Robert Helms

From first person accounts of pharmaceutical studies gone bad to intricate medical histories, Guinea Pig Zero provides a fascinating look at the people who sell their bodies to science. While the book provides advice to present-day research subjects (by rating research clinics), the book also provides context by investigating the history and ethics behind this important, but little-known medical industry.

Genres: Nonfiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[HeavyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the collection of the best writing from the Guinea Pig Zero zine that was regularly published in the mid 90s. The zine is no longer published, but here's the link to the website http://www.guineapigzero.com/

Here's Guinea Pig Zero's statement of purpose, taken from the website

"Guinea Pig Zero is an occupational jobzine for people who are used as medical or pharmaceutical research subjects. Its various sections are devoted to bioethics, historical facts, current news and research, evaluations of particular research facilities by volunteers, true stories of guinea pig adventure, reviews, poetry and fiction relating to the disposability of plebeian life. The journal will be useful to human guinea pigs while being informative to a general readership. Ethical questions related to human research are the property of human research subjects. The zine's title is loosely derived from the term "patient zero," which named an early AIDS victim whose behavior became a wild card in the efforts by doctors to control the epidemic. More benevolently, this journal keeps in mind that we volunteers can and should maintain an awareness and a will, because if we do not, we will fall victim to the evil uses devised for us by scientists who forget that we and they are of the same species."

Anyway, as a medical research subject myself (I am in the middle of a study as I write this, waiting for my morning dose of experiemental medication), I really appreciate and enjoy this book. I reommend it to peole who already do drug studies for money, those considering taking on such a job, and people who are just interested in how the industry works.

[Leew49 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though technically an anthology, this book is for the most part the work of Robert Helms, a professional medical research volunteer ("guinea pig" is his term of preference), who for several years edited an online zine by the same name as the book. There is nevertheless a surprisingly wide selection of subject matter: "report cards" of various medical research facilities written by several human guinea pigs--Helms, of course, among them--descriptions of failed and sometimes fatal medical experiments, an account of a libel lawsuit against Helms by a large hospital chain (which he appears to have won), advocacy for survivors of the first Gulf War, shocking accounts of medical experimentation during World War II by the Germans, as well as less publicized work by the Japanese, and even some translated French short stories on the subject of medical malfeasance and the dehumanizing effect of extreme poverty. In one section Helms takes some of his savings from participating in medical experiments and visits a leper colony in India.

Helms is always the voice of the underdog, sometimes but not often shrill, always speaking for the under represented and misunderstood human guinea pigs like himself. But his interests are far-ranging and backed up by what appears to be extensive research. This collection is fascinating, eye-opening and sometimes shocking, providing an in depth look at an important but little known segment of our society.

[Simon Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and eclectic collection of writings by and about professional clinical trials participants.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worth a read but nothing spectacular

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty fascinating. It is excepts from the zine of the same title that was written by human test subjects for medical research projects. There are write-ups about experiences and ratings of various facilities. Before reading Guinea Pig Zero I didn't realize that there were people who did this for a living rather than some quick cash on the side. It seems totally insane to continually hand over your body for testing of chemicals that may not even been intended for you (anti-depressants tested on those without depression to see what the effect is etc) but at the same time, I'm sitting here eating Count Chocula and I have no idea what is in these little "marshmallow" pieces and there is no medical team monitoring the effect they have on me.

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title says, this is an anthology of articles Bob Helms wrote for his long-running zine Guinea Pig Zero. He writes almost exclusively about people who are subjects of medical experiments. Most like him are doing so professionally, but he also has articles about prisoners across the decades who have been non-consenting subjects. The tone is in general that of advocacy, as there are a number of articles about injustices in the medical research field. Slightly grotesque for the squeamish at times.

[Shenanitims · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read a lot of zines growing up, and had heard about it, I knew what it was, but our paths had never crossed. And here it is, neatly trimmed and wrapped in book form. Stories about people selling their bodies to science, while still retaining their identities. While they do gripe about processes and the usual work-related issues (doctors/nurses thinking they know everything, etc.), the contributors are also willing to give credit where credit is due. Making the book a more balanced read, rather than a bitch-and-moan fest.