When experiments travel: clinical trials and the global search for human subjects

In June, the drug company Genzymeshut down production of Cerezyme(imiglucerase injection) — a life-saving medication for those with Gaucher disease — after a manufactur-ing plant near Boston, Massachusetts was contaminated by a virus. With sup-plies of the drug falling sharply, the com-pany advised the 5000 people worldwide who take Cerezyme to temporarily skip or reduce doses. Despite cutting back on their medications, patients have done well. It’s a conundrum that’s understand-able after reading this book. In researching this book, anthropolo-gist Adriana Petryna spent time in Brazil getting to know the family of Pedro