Ethics and accountability for clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov, a database for clinical trial information, posted a disclaimer disowning accountability for the accuracy of data uploaded to the site. This disclaimer undermines the database's purpose, which is to provide information about clinical research studies to the public and support policies that require sharing of trial results. The lack of oversight leads to inconsistencies in the information posted, affecting vulnerable participants and creating distrust in science.

• 1
  There is ambiguous classification of intervention type across trials, hindering understanding of available trials.
• 2
  Many spinal cord injury studies are registered in the 'Not Applicable Phase,' undermining the reliability of their scientific status.
• 3
  Lack of transparency around adverse events, coupled with the disclaimer, makes informed decision-making for trial participation impossible.