• What is your question? • Will your subjects answer that question? • Is it a compelling story? • Are your subjects protected? Finding subjects, educating them, preparing them:
• What is your question?• Will your subjects answer that question?• Is it a compelling story?• Are your subjects protected?
Finding subjects, educating them, preparing them:
0
1
2
3
4
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995
ppb
Norén and Meironyté, 2000
PBDEsSwedish mothers, ’72-’97
Flame retardant breast milk?
You can’t afford to make a mistake.
• Protect yourself and your subjects• Get Institutional Review Board approval
Blood requested by the lab
Blood permitted by IRB
Institutional Review Board impact
• $1,300 fee
• 22 page protocol
• 8 page consent form
• Initially rejected
• $740 follow-up physician visit (for subjects)
• Four month delay
• Scientific standing for project
• Peace of mind for reporter
Your raw data may arrive from the lab looking like this ...
polybrominated diphenyl ethers
Dad Mom 5-yr-old 18-mo-old
700 ppb
U.S.median
50 ppb
harm inlab rats
300 ppb
“I had no idea. Thank you...”Karen Colacicco Union City, Calif.
Photos by Nick Lammers, Oakland Tribune