Q: Does Dow test its chemicals on people?
A: It is rare that Dow would undertake such testing. Human subjects research can, however, help to inform an understanding of the possible interactions that chemicals can have with humans. Human studies can be more representative and useful than animal tests in determining health outcomes, establishing no observed effect levels, and studying mechanisms of toxicity. However, human subjects research is accomplished only under strict protocols, after other testing methods have been utilized.
Human studies generally fall into two categories: (1) human clinical studies, in which volunteers are deliberately exposed to substances, and (2) field epidemiological or exposure studies, in which data are collected about populations measured under natural exposure conditions.
Ethical standards have been established by the US government and several international bodies to protect the participants in human subjects research and to convey that information to prospective test subjects prior to obtaining their consent.
Dow supports the American Chemistry Council’s “Policy on Human Subjects Research” which states: “All research involving human subjects will be conducted in accordance with either the Common Rule, the Declaration of Helsinki or the Guideline for Good Clinical Practice, depending on the entity or entities to which the research results may be submitted and other relevant factors.”