I need help with senior research!

[CrazyboyMD]

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Hello all,

I am currently a Freshman in college but I am thinking ahead. We're required to do some form of research for biology and I have recently thought of something.

Is it ethical for ME to be the subject of my research? I am very interested in water fasting and the impact it has on the human body. I would very much be interested in understanding how certain tests come out during this water fast.

I am interested to see how blood glucose levels change over a period of time, how a urine analysis and dipstick results come out, vital signs, and even CBC/CMP results during a water fast. I would like to include a variety of tests.

Does this experiment sound at all viable? Could I randomly get specific tests done by asking one of my professors? (I would like to get an EEG done and see how a water fast impacts the results as well)

I am really interested in the concept of autophagy in water fasting and how that specific process can happen during this.

I do not think this sounds absurd, I am very interested in at least water fasting being the subject of my research. Any opinions and recommendations would be helpful!

 

[The Deep]

I think It would be better to stick to the standard process and use lab animals. Rats are commonly used because of their genetic similarity to humans. See if a professor who researches different conditions on rats would allow you to run a project like this. I’d say try the water fasting thing yourself outside of a lab and see how it goes if you’re interested in doing it on yourself.

 

[Master Thinker]

I don't think this is a good idea because your sample size will be small (N=1). How will you generalize your results, even if you get results? There are a whole host of things that can affect your body functions and that's why having a large sample helps to eliminate errors.

 

[CrazyboyMD]

I think It would be better to stick to the standard process and use lab animals. Rats are commonly used because of their genetic similarity to humans. See if a professor who researches different conditions on rats would allow you to run a project like this. I’d say try the water fasting thing yourself outside of a lab and see how it goes if you’re interested in doing it on yourself.

I agree now. I think this may be the better approach, and it is to my knowledge that human testing like this is viewed as unethical. I would very much like to involve myself in this research however. I would at least like to make the results I get out of this relevant. Thanks.

 

[CrazyboyMD]

I don't think this is a good idea because your sample size will be small (N=1). How will you generalize your results, even if you get results? There are a whole host of things that can affect your body functions and that's why having a large sample helps to eliminate errors.

Hahaha, I totally forgot about this. I honestly would like to make my water fasting results of some relevance however.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Self experimentation is no bueno

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

What you described is not so much unethical as it is just poor science. Before you go about deciding what to do for your research, spend some time learning what good research looks like. your classes should give you an introduction to this. Look for people at your school who are conducting research related to your interests, and see if you can meet with them/possibly join their lab at some point to learn how those types of experiments are best done.