Using your kid as a research subject
Scientists who use their own children as experimental subjects is a recurring theme in weird science. It doesn't happen so often that it's no longer weird. But it definitely does happen.
I touched briefly on the subject in Electrified Sheep
, in which I discussed the case of English researcher Thomas Thorne Baker, who placed his five-year-old daughter in an electrified cage in order to investigate whether high-frequency electromagnetic fields would stimulate her growth. (They didn't.) I also wrote about the Australian physician Jack Barnes, who exposed himself and his nine-year-old son to jellyfish stings, in order to test what the reaction would be. (They both ended up in the hospital.)
Now recently in the news we have Dr. Melvin Morse, a pediatrician and specialist in near-death experiences, who's been accused of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter in order to bring her to a "near-death state" so that he can study her. For the record, he's denying the charges. [CBS News]
I touched briefly on the subject in Electrified Sheep
, in which I discussed the case of English researcher Thomas Thorne Baker, who placed his five-year-old daughter in an electrified cage in order to investigate whether high-frequency electromagnetic fields would stimulate her growth. (They didn't.) I also wrote about the Australian physician Jack Barnes, who exposed himself and his nine-year-old son to jellyfish stings, in order to test what the reaction would be. (They both ended up in the hospital.)Now recently in the news we have Dr. Melvin Morse, a pediatrician and specialist in near-death experiences, who's been accused of waterboarding his 11-year-old stepdaughter in order to bring her to a "near-death state" so that he can study her. For the record, he's denying the charges. [CBS News]
Comments
P.E.T.A has stopped testing on animals so what's a researcher to do?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 08/23/12 at 09:41 AM
You can't tell me that the idea of keeping a kid in an electrified cage hasn't crossed a parent's mind at least once. :lol:
Posted by KDP on 08/23/12 at 11:13 AM
One of the upsides of having only furry or feathery "children" is that I get to keep them in a cage. I can even sell them. Or pimp them out. Plus, no prom dress, wedding dress, or 16th birthday car to buy. Downsides: they're not tax deductible, nor do they come under my health insurance.
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 08/23/12 at 11:56 AM
As 'Mr. Lizard' would say (on the old 90's TV series 'Dinosaurs'); "We're going to need another Timmy!"
Posted by tadchem on 08/23/12 at 03:14 PM
Some people should not ever have children. The water boarding dude should get an all expenses paid trip to Guantanamo to experience it himself.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 08/24/12 at 08:50 AM
No need to waste the money sending him down there, there is a DIY home kit available.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 08/24/12 at 10:13 AM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
Category: Science | Children