Chasing Medical Miracles and this website are by journalist Alex O’Meara who as a diabetic suffered from life-threatening hypoglycemic unawareness. The book chronicles how he participated in a risky and groundbreaking clinical trial to “cure’ diabetes. The book also reveals how a multi-billion dollar industry of private companies conducting trials with little oversight has taken root and quietly become a major part of the American medical establishment.

Book about Clinical Trials Named BookList Editor’s Choice for 2009

The editors at Booklist have named Chasing Medical Miracles one of the best adult books of the year for 2009. In their criteria the editors write: “The Adult Books editors have selected the following titles as representative of the year’s outstanding books for public-library collections. Our scope has been intentionally broad, and we have attempted to find books that combine literary, intellectual, and aesthetic excellence with popular appeal.” (More here.)

Medical Miracles was named in the category of Social Sciences. The citation reads: “Clinical trial participant O’Meara chronicles his experience and sweeps through the $24-million-per-annum clinical-trials industry, which generally escapes media scrutiny. Includes an invaluable checklist for prospective trial participants.

More »

• Dr. Wakefield, The Lancet, Vaccines, Autism, and a Useless Retraction
• “Extraordinary Measures” movie offers window into image issues about clinical trials
• New Nail in Clinical Trials Integrity Coffin
• American Scientist Reviews Three Clinical Trials Books, including Medical Miracles