When you volunteer for medical research, you provide scientists with essential data and biological samples—such as biopsies or blood donations—that are critical for testing new treatments. These materials help researchers understand diseases, evaluate the effectiveness of new drugs, and develop safer, more targeted therapies. Without volunteers, medical advancements would come to a standstill.
Why Medical Research is Important
Medical research helps us increase our knowledge about human biology, health and wellbeing.
Every minute in the UK, someone is diagnosed with a disease or condition. The treatments and care they receive today exist because of past medical research and discoveries.
Whether it is testing a new medicine, a new surgical procedure, a new diagnostic test, a type of scan, or moving to a healthier lifestyle choice to help prevent disease, everyone has an important role to play- if they choose to.
Medical research helps us to:
- provide life changing treatments
- diagnose disease earlier and with improved accuracy
- prevent disease development and spread
- ensure that everyone has a better quality of life
- improve health for the generations to come
Essentially, research aims to find out whether what is being tested is better than what is currently available or provide a treatment option where none exists.
Clinicians and researchers already know a great deal, but there are still many questions that need answers. Your help is crucial in allowing researchers to meet these aims.
Why Human Tissue is Needed
Human tissue is essential for advancing medical research and drug discovery. Unlike animal models, human tissue provides researchers with accurate and reliable insights into how new treatments will work in the human body. This research is critical for understanding drug safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects, all of which are vital to developing successful therapies.