ETHICISTS QUESTION DRUG TESTING

BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) - About 100 healthy people across the country have
been given a powerful hallucinogen to study psychosis without being told the
drug can induce memory loss or that it is abused as a psychedelic drug and
as a date-rape drug.

The Boston Globe says that ethicists are questioning the use of ketamine on
humans without full disclosure.

Drug abusers know ketamine as ``Special K.''

The Globe says the studies using ketamine have involved both mentally ill
and healthy subjects, placing both at potential risk of psychotic episodes.

Ethicists said they are particularly troubled because there is no possible
benefit to healthy people that would offset the risk.

The Globe said a review of research at the National Institute of Mental
Health in Maryland and at other NIMH-funded facilities shows that subjects
are often not being told the drug is being given to specifically induce
symptoms such as hallucinations or memory loss.

They are also not told that abusers use ketamine as a psychedelic drug,
creating near-death experiences and feelings of floating.

Ketamine, which is primarily used as an animal tranquilizer, also been used
recently as a date-rape drug and at parties known as ``raves.''

Dr. Trey Sunderland, chairman of NIMH's institutional review board, said the
medicine was given under close scrutiny for a short-term basis. Sunderland
said there is ``no repeat long-term exposure,'' and consequently ketamine's
street use is ``not an issue in these studies'' and was not brought up with
subjects.

Checked-by: Don Beck