Testing New Drugs - Preventing, Treating And Curing Disease

Question 1

What is preclinical testing of drugs?

Answer 1

First tested on human cells and tissues in lab
Then tested on live animals to find out
Efficacy (works and has right effect)
Toxicity (if it’s harmful or has side effects)
Dosage

Question 2

What happens in clinical testing of drugs?

Answer 2

Tested on healthy volunteers, to ensure there is no harmful side effects when body works normally
Very low dose is given, increased little by little
If results are good, can be tested on patients with illness
Optimum dose is found- most effective and fewest side effects
Placebo tests are given out to prevent false claims, often double blind - nor patients or doctors know who’s been given drug or not, to see the real difference.

Question 3

How can genetic engineering be used in medicine?

Answer 3

To produce human insulin for diabetes treatment