Haygarth used wooden rods to prove that placebos work. However, there are still many questions about the placebo effect and more research is needed.

There is no doubt that a placebo can relieve some health complaints. Some placebos are effective in treating chronic pain, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. However, they should be compared to the active treatment in order to determine whether a new treatment is more effective.

The process of informed consent in Clinical Trials is a central element of the medical research process. In a time of increasing complexity in clinical research, such as gene therapy and biotechnology, it is essential that this process is as comprehensive as possible.

This means that laws and regulations must be understood, and complied with in letter and spirit. Fortunately, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 does not apply to CTIMPs. Informed consent requires that the participants be provided with all information necessary to make an informed decision regarding the research study.

This includes information about the potential risks and benefits of the study. The risks should be fully explained, including the likelihood of complications. Even rare risks need to be disclosed if they may cause severe harm. Researchers should also encourage questions and allow plenty of time for participants to read the informed consent documents and ask questions.